Bantamweight Farid Basharat said the UFC "just isn't what it used to be," after failing to re-sign with the company despite his undefeated record.
Basharat (16-0) confirmed his departure from the UFC on Thursday, ending a 7-0 run inside the Octagon that began in 2023. The 29-year-old said he was never offered a contract after his latest win, unanimous decision over John Garza in July.
"I'm proud and happy with what I've accomplished inside the Octagon," Basharat wrote on X. "I leave with a stainless record. Holding the longest active win streak in my weight division and the fourth longest in the entire UFC. I feel I'm the best bantamweight in the world ... but my departure clearly has nothing to do with my fighting capabilities.
"Unfortunately the organization just isn't what it used to be. They're heading in a different direction from what we all grew up loving. I want to clarify that since my last fight I was never offered a contract or an opponent, I waited but it never came."
Basharat, who hails from Afghanistan but trains out of American Top Team in South Florida, brought attention to his contract status ahead of his fight in July, saying he was hopeful the UFC would offer him a new deal. His older brother Javid Basharat also parted ways with the UFC, despite a winning record of 4-2.
The brothers had success in the UFC but struggled to finish opponents. Ten of their combined 11 UFC wins came by decision.
