Former title challenger Bethe Correia among three fighters released from the UFC
The UFC is trimming down its roster as former title challenger Bethe Correia has been released from the promotion.
Along with Correia, longtime UFC lightweight veteran, Evan Dunham, and light heavyweight, Klidson Abreu were also released. MMAFighting was first to report Correia and Dunham’s release while Combate reported Abreu’s.
Bethe Correia is just 2-5-1 in her last eight fights. Last time out, the 37-year-old Brazilian lost a decision to Pannie Kianzad on Fight Island. Before that, she edged out a decision win over Sijara Eubanks to snap her three-fight unbeaten streak. Correia does have a notable win over Jessica Eye. In her UFC tenure, she went 5-5-1 but did fight for UFC gold at UFC 190 but lost by TKO in 34 seconds to Ronda Rousey.
Evan Dunham, meanwhile, retired from the sport following his loss to Francisco Trinaldo in 2018. But, the lightweight returned at UFC 250 at a 150-pound catchweight but lost to Herbert Burns by first-round submission. Dunham’s UFC tenure ends on a three-fight losing streak. He also went winless in his last four as he also had a draw against Beneil Dariush.
The 38-year-old has been in the UFC since 2009 and went 11-9-1 with notable wins over Nik Lentz, Gleison Tibau, and Joe Lauzon among others.
Klidson Abreu ends his UFC tenure on a two-fight losing streak. The Brazilian suffered a knockout loss to Jamahal Hill in the first round in May following a split decision loss to Shamil Gamzatov. He went 1-3 in the UFC with his lone win coming over Sam Alvey.
Abreu is only 27-years-old and did show some promise in the fights. So, it wouldn’t be surprising to see if he is back in the UFC if he picks up a few wins on the regional scenes.
For Correia and Dunham, what their future holds is much less clear. Dunham has also retired once so retirement could be an option. But, for Correia, perhaps she goes to a promotion like Bellator and fights at featherweight in the back half of her career.
