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19/11/08 - Aurelio dropped by UFC
American Top Team lightweight Marcus Aurelio is the latest fight to be cut by the UFC, it has been reported.
Aurelio was released from his contract following back-to-back losses to Tyson Griffin and Hermes Franca, according to FiveOuncesofPain.com.
The Brazilian was touted as a possible champion when he arrived in the UFC in 2007, given his form in the Pride organisation.
But he racked up just two wins in five fights after moving to the American league, with neither win coming against highly-ranked fighters.
He also received relatively high purses for his fights compared to many of his colleagues, which will have spurred the UFC’s decision.
Aurelio will be particularly galled that it is the loss to Franca which has pushed him out of the organisation, given the bad blood between the pair.
Franca was Aurelio’s student at one time, but fell out with him after Aurelio criticised his decision to promote close friend Kurt Pellegrino to BJJ black belt.
Aurelio becomes the third Brazilian to be dropped by the UFC in the space of a week, following the departures of Fabricio Werdum and Paulo Filho.
John Joe O’Regan
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