Dustin Ortiz wasn’t released from the Ultimate Fighting Championship, but he has parted ways with the Las Vegas-based promotion after completing his contract.
The flyweight contender confirmed to MMAjunkie.com that he became a free agent following a split-decision defeat to Joseph Benavidez at UFC Fight Night 143 in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Jan. 19. The 30-year-old Tennessee native made it a point to dispute the notion that he was cut, a rumor fueled by 125-pound champion Henry Cejudo in a recent interview.
“It just kind of sparked me the way he said it, like I lost and they released me because I was no longer good enough,” Ortiz said.