UFC Cuts Travis Lutter

[Capt.Caveman]

Travis Lutter cut from the UFC

UFC middleweight and "The Ultimate Fighter 4" winner Travis Lutter, who most recently suffered a second-round TKO to Rich Franklin at UFC 83, has been released from the UFC.

Lutter confirmed the news with a recent blog post.

The cut is the latest from the UFC, which has been trimming its roster of fighters in recent months. As MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) previously reported, one of the highest-profile cases included Jake O'Brien earlier this month.

Lutter, who nearly submitted Franklin with a first-round armbar at the April 19 event, has been dropped from the UFC after facing arguably the division's top two fighters: Franklin and UFC middleweight title-holder Anderson Silva.

"Friday [afternoon] I was told by my manager that UFC matchmaker Joe [Silva] had left my him a message on his phone that I had been released from my UFC contract because of my two losses in a row," Lutter wrote.

After defeating Patrick Cote to win "TUF 4," Lutter earned his guaranteed title shot with Silva. However, he failed to make weight for the event -- earning the wrath of MMA fans and even UFC president Dana White -- and despite a solid first round, he ultimately suffered a second-round submission loss via strikes.

Lutter (9-5 MMA, 2-5 UFC) made his octagon debut at UFC 50 and earned a second-round knockout victory over Marvin Eastman.

[StonerJack]

Fine with me, he is taking up a spot that someone is working much harder for. The guy is talented, but obviously doesn't cross train the way he should. Still haven't gotten over him not making weight.

[mik3]

So you get gassed and you get cut? But it's ok for Liddell to LNP Wandy in the whole third round of their fight?

[burky79]

Danna dictatorship.

You don't like it, you leave.

I myself like it and think he makes for a great fight promoter. He makes fights that sell. Bottom line. I respect that.

That being said, he is pissing off MMA purists all the way and all the time. He is appealing to a bigger crowd.

[Capt.Caveman]

So you get gassed and you get cut? But it's ok for Liddell to LNP Wandy in the whole third round of their fight?

i think it's also he didn't make weight in his last fight and gasses in this fight. He is eating up a roster spot of someone who will try a lot harder and wants it more

[mendozathejew]

there are rumored to be many more cuts coming. they are slashing their roster of dead weight.

[TheTruth]

So you get gassed and you get cut? But it's ok for Liddell to LNP Wandy in the whole third round of their fight?

No one buys a PPV because Lutter is fighting

[mik3]

No one buys a PPV because Lutter is fighting
No, but people will watch an UFN if Lutter's fighting because he's one of the best BJJ guys in the sport.

Even if you don't cut him, send him to the WEC, let him beat a couple dudes, then set up a crazy BJJ fight between him and Filho once he's out of rehab.

[Gotti420]

he's one of the best BJJ guys in the sport.

That doesn't really matter when he consistently gasses after the first round

[TheTruth]

No, but people will watch an UFN if Lutter's fighting because he's one of the best BJJ guys in the sport.

Even if you don't cut him, send him to the WEC, let him beat a couple dudes, then set up a crazy BJJ fight between him and Filho once he's out of rehab.

People will watch a UFN because it is free.

The UFC cutting him I think is a combination of him constantly going into fights poorly conditioned, which makes you question how dedicated he is. And when he gets a title shot comes in and can't make weight where you really have to question his dedication.

[mik3]

I know it's a business and all, but I would have given him another shot. But it would be, train for 205, get a fight there on an UFN, there's your last chance.

[mendozathejew]

Lutter was on the shit list when he failed to make weight for what was supposed to be a title defense ppv. You didnt think Dana was gonna live and let live on that one did you?

[mik3]

Probably not. I guess there's just a big part of me that finds it hard to defend any move Dana makes.

I understand the Starnes firing, if not for the fight but for his throwing the organization under the bus the same night.