MMAfighting is reporting that popular UFC fighter and TUF veteran Keith Jardine has been cut after losing to Matt Hamill in last weekend’s The Ultimate Finale’s Fight of the Night. The defeat was Jardine’s fourth in a row but despite this losing streak he remained not only a popular fighting but one capable of putting on exciting fights. No doubt because of this, Dana White struck a conciliatory note saying that “It sucks… I have nothing but respect for him and I hope to see him back soon”.
Many will be disappointed to see Jardine leave, which is understandable given the ‘Dean of Mean’s’ unique charisma and his aggressive fighting style. He had secured notable victories against Chuck Liddell, Forest Griffin and Brandon Vera and at UFC 96 had come very close to defeating Quinton Jackson. However, nothing should disguise the fact that his UFC record had deteriorated to 6-7, and the UFC had already tolerated an unusually long losing streak. Usually, the UFC doesn’t retain fighters who have lost three fights in a row let alone four. In an organisation that prides itself on being the elite league of MMA it is vital that permanent spots on its roster are earned and retained on merit. A spot reserved for a popular fighter on his way down is a spot denied to a promising fighter on his way up. Keith Jardine deserved his popularity but simply wasn’t winning enough fights to deserve a continued stay in the UFC.
