UFC Releases Nikolay Veretennikov After Post-Fight Controversy at UFC Seattle

Nikolay Veretennikov is no longer a part of UFC. The organization released him following a controversial post-fight incident at UFC Seattle, where he lost to Austin Vanderford and aggressively confronted his opponent. Veretennikov departs the UFC with an 0-2 promotional record.

Veretennikov's stint in the UFC was rocky from the start. The Kazakh fighter had previously competed on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2021 but failed to secure a contract after losing to Michael Morales. He later entered the UFC roster but suffered consecutive defeats, making his exit from the organization seem inevitable.

The breaking point came at UFC Seattle when Veretennikov faced Austin Vanderford in a middleweight bout. Vanderford, stepping in on short notice, dominated the fight and secured a second-round TKO. Frustrated by the loss, Veretennikov reacted aggressively post-fight, shoving Vanderford and creating an unnecessary altercation inside the Octagon.

The incident sparked backlash from the MMA community, with many calling for the UFC to take action. While UFC President Dana White initially stated there would be no immediate punishment for Veretennikov’s actions, his overall performance and lack of success in the organization led to his release.

Counting his Contender Series appearance, Veretennikov finishes his UFC run with a disappointing 0-3 record. Outside of the promotion, he boasts a more impressive 12-3 record in other organizations. However, his inability to secure a win on MMA’s biggest stage ultimately cost him his place on the roster.

Veretennikov was not the only fighter let go by the promotion. According to reports, the UFC has also parted ways with several other fighters, including Matthew Semelsberger, Cody Stamann, Taylor Lapilus, Roosevelt Roberts, Natan Levy, Julio Arce, Josh Culibao, and Jonathan Pearce.

For his part, Vanderford took the situation in stride. In a recent interview, he stated that he did not hold a grudge against Veretennikov and had already moved past the incident.

With Veretennikov now a free agent, it remains to be seen where the middleweight will land next. Whether he signs with another promotion or takes time off to regroup, his departure marks the end of a turbulent UFC tenure.