Bold statement: the fallout from UFC Mexico City is already underway, and two fighters have quickly paid the price. But here’s how it happened, who’s affected, and what it might mean for the promotion going forward.
Two entrants were removed from the UFC’s active roster this week, a sign that the organization is tightening up roster management after last weekend’s Mexico City event. On Monday, March 2, 2026, reporter Guilherme Cruz reported that Jose Medina and Felipe Bunes have either been released or did not have their contracts renewed. Both fighters competed at UFC Mexico City just days earlier.
Jose Medina, a Bolivian fighter with an 11-7 record, is widely considered a controversial signing from the Contender Series. He earned a contract on Season 7 despite dropping a clear 30-27 decision to Magomed Gadzhiyasulov, a matchup that proved particularly unflattering in hindsight since Gadzhiyasulov was later cut from the UFC as well. Medina’s UFC tenure has been rough: he went 0-4 inside the Octagon, often serving as stepping stone for up-and-coming prospects rather than a frontrunner himself. His tenure is notable for its mismatches and for making Medina only the second Bolivian to compete in the UFC.
Felipe Bunes, with a 14-9 record, also didn’t find sustainable momentum in the UFC. A former LFA Flyweight champion, Bunes was set to debut on short notice against Zhalgas Zhumagulov in 2023, but a failed pre-fight drug test canceled that bout. He finally debuted at UFC Vegas 17 in early 2024, where he was knocked out by Joshua Van in the second round. After a near one-year layoff, Bunes returned with a first-round submission win over Jose Johnson in 2025, but subsequently dropped his next two fights, including a loss to Edgar Chairez in Mexico City. His UFC record stands at 1-3 when all was said and done.
The UFC Mexico City results thus contributed to a broader conversation about how the company manages signings, development trajectories, and the risk-reward of bringing in fighters from newer avenues like Contender Series. The two exits underscore the reality that roster decisions can be decisive and immediate, even after a single event.
For fans curious about the UFC’s upcoming schedule, you can check the current lineup and events here: https://www.mmamania.com/pages/ufc-mma-schedule
Would you like a quick comparison of Medina’s and Bunes’s UFC paths, including notable fights, to help put these releases in context? Also, what’s your take: should the UFC be more selective with Contender Series signings, or is this just the reality of a sport with high turnover?
