http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=12656&zoneid=13 "Ultimate Fighter" season 8 winner Efrain Escudero has been released from the UFC following his September 15 loss to Charles Oliveira at UFC Fight Night in Austin, Tex. Escudero confirmed the release with MMAWeekly.com on Monday. Since winning the 8th season of the reality show by defeating Phillipe Nover, Escudero has gone 2-2 in the UFC. During that time the Arizona based fighter holds wins over Cole Miller and Dany Lauzon, while picking up losses against Evan Dunham and as previously mentioned Charles Oliveira. This marks the first time the UFC has released a winner from the "Ultimate Fighter" reality show. Travis Lutter was also released from the UFC after winning on the show, but he had previously competed in the promotion, and was a part of their "comeback" 4th season. Escudero had originally been scheduled to meet John Gunderson on the undercard of the UFC Fight Night event last week, but injuries forced changes to the show, and he ended up against Oliveira instead. Following a tough fight, Escudero was eventually submitted by the Brazilian in the third round of their lightweight match-up. Escudero stated when speaking to MMAWeekly that he will be taking a week off, and will make future plans after the time away.
I met Efrain in Vegas. He was taking pics with fans and being friendly. It was just after UFC 92. Seemed like a nice guy. Failing to make weight then putting on a poor performance didn't help his stock, but you have to figure there is more to this than just losing two fights.
Between Duffee and Escudero, the UFC really seems to be laying down the law with regards to behaivour this summer.
I wonder if this is the case of, go out to another organization, win 2 or 3 fights, and come back to the UFC and try again.
I doubt it, these TUF guys usually get fed some fights if the case is that they just need to win a couple of tune ups. I think there's more behind it. Of course I am not ruling out the fact that Escudero could eventually find his way back into the UFC, just saying its strange they didn't feed some some easy fights within the UFC.
^ The guys he lost to are undefeated. Not like they were easy fights at all. His performance against Lauzon was a bit on the poor side but it was a win. You have to figure missing weight is now being considered professional misconduct. That, or he hasn't been easy to deal with.
