Askar Askaraov says he asked for UFC release, 'received a positive response'
Askar Askaraov’s status as a rostered UFC fighter appears to be in question.
On Saturday, Askaraov said in an Instagram post that he “received a positive response” after asking the UFC to release him from his contract, which he added has only one fight remaining on it.
“Due to my return being delayed due to medical reasons and being my last fight under my contract, I asked UFC to release me,” Askarov wrote in Russian, according to the translation. “To which, I received a positive response. First, let’s put our health in order, and then we will see what and how.”
It’s unclear if Askaraov’s post means he’s been released. The UFC doesn’t typically announce or confirm fighter releases when requested by MMA Junkie.
Askarov, 30, is No. 4 in the latest official UFC rankings at 125 pounds. He was set to meet No. 5 Brandon Royval two weeks ago at UFC Fight Night 212, but Askarov (14-1-1 MMA, 3-1-1 UFC) withdrew on weigh-ins day because of weight-cutting issues.
Askarov missed weight in March 2021 for his fight against Joseph Benavidez at UFC 259. He weighed in at 127 pounds and lost a percentage of his purse after his unanimous decision win. In March, he lost for the first time when Kai Kara-France upset him at UFC on ESPN 33. Kara-France got an interim title shot with the win, leaving Askarov to go back to the drawing board.
He was supposed meet Alex Perez in July, but Askarov pulled out of that fight. The weight-miss before the Royval fight continued a rough patch for the Dagestani fighter.