The UFC has never been shy about releasing fighters, whether due to contract issues, financial decisions, or personal differences with Dana White. Occasionally those decisions turn out to be quite fine. Sometimes they leave fans and analysts wondering if the UFC made a big mistake. Over the years, some fighters have departed the UFC and have had amazing success elsewhere.

Some became champions in competing promotions, proving that they still had plenty left in the tank. Others left behind dream matchups that fans never saw. In this article, we will look at five competitors who surely are making Dana White regret the decision to let them go. So, without further ado, let’s dive in!

Francis Ngannou

When one thinks of regrettable UFC exits, one name immediately springs to mind: Francis Ngannou. The former heavyweight champion was more than just a titleholder; he was a knockout machine. His fearsome power makes him one of the most dangerous fighters out there, with the potential to become one of the biggest UFC stars in history. However, things changed with his title defense against Ciryl Gane at UFC 270 in early 2022. ‘The Predator’ requested a better deal, asking for more freedom to pursue other alternatives such as boxing.

However, the Dana White-led promotion refused to meet his demands. In January 2023, the promotion stripped him of his title and moved on, making Ciryl Gane vs. Jon Jones for the vacant title. While the UFC tried to pretend that losing Ngannou wasn’t a big problem, it’s difficult to overlook what they missed out on. A super-fight between Francis Ngannou and Jon Jones was one of the most highly anticipated fights in years. Instead, ‘The Predator’ joined with the PFL and later boxed Tyson Fury, proving that he was still a huge draw. Meanwhile, the UFC’s heavyweight division struggled to keep things exciting without him.

Demetrious Johnson

Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson is largely considered one of the best MMA fighters of all time. He dominated the UFC’s flyweight division for years, defending his championship an unprecedented 11 times. His speed, technique, and combat IQ were unrivaled, and he constantly delivered outstanding performances.  Despite all of this, the UFC never appeared to know how to deal with him. Flyweight wasn’t the most popular division, and Johnson didn’t get the marketing support that other champions did.

In 2018, the UFC made a surprising move by trading Johnson to ONE Championship in exchange for Ben Askren. It was the first major fighter trade in MMA history, and head honcho Dana White was ready to move on. Since then, Johnson continued to prove his greatness. He won the ONE Championship, faced some of the finest fighters in the world, and remained a top contender. Meanwhile, the UFC flyweight division failed to unearth a star of his stature. Looking back, dealing away one of the best pound-for-pound fighters ever was probably not the wisest decision made by the UFC CEO.

Ryan Bader

Ryan Bader was always an excellent fighter in the UFC, but he never received the recognition he deserved. A former Ultimate Fighter winner, he spent years fighting in the light heavyweight division, defeating huge names like Rashad Evans, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, and Phil Davis. Despite his achievements, ‘Darth’ never received a UFC championship opportunity, and after his contract expired in 2017, he moved to Bellator in a move many saw coming. In fact, that proved to be a terrific move for Bader—but a poor one for the UFC.

‘Darth’ quickly became Bellator’s light heavyweight champion. He then stepped up to heavyweight and won that title as well, making him a remarkable two-division champion. At the time, the UFC’s heavyweight division lacked depth, and the light heavyweight division was also struggling. Having a fighter like Ryan Bader may have increased competitiveness in both weight classes. Instead, he established his legacy elsewhere, establishing that he was far superior to what the UFC and Dana White had previously believed.

Rory MacDonald

Rory MacDonald was once considered the future of the welterweight category. The Canadian great had elite striking, excellent grappling, and a technical fighting style, making him one of the division’s strongest opponents. His UFC 189 fight against Robbie Lawler in 2015 is still regarded as one of the best in MMA history, and ‘Ares’ appeared destined to become a champion. However, after failing to win the championship and suffering some painful defeats, MacDonald explored the world of free agency.

That was until 2017 when he finally joined Bellator and got back the form that once made him one of the best in the Octagon. In fact, he soon won the welterweight belt in the new promotion. Even if his UFC career was up and down, losing a star like MacDonald impacted the promotion. He was still in his prime when he left, and the UFC could have used more top-tier welterweight contenders at the time.

Muhammad Mokaev

Muhammad Mokaev was expected to be the UFC’s next big thing in the flyweight division. He had an undefeated record and an exceptional wrestling background, so ‘The Punisher’ had everything he needed to be a dominant champion. Many people considered him the future of 125 pounds, and he quickly rose through the ranks. But then things became tricky. Contract disagreements and concerns with fighter compensation caused problems between Mokaev and the UFC.

Rumors circulated that his management was negotiating with the PFL while ‘The Punisher’ was still under UFC contract. Things eventually reached a breaking point, and Mokaev left the promotion without ever being given a title shot. For Dana White, this might turn into a major regret. If Mokaev goes on to win titles in other promotions, it will be another example of the UFC letting a young, brilliant athlete slip through its fingers. Given the amount of buzz he generated as an undefeated star, his departure was a serious missed opportunity. What do you think? Is there any other fighter we missed? Let us know in the comments.