Farid
Basharat has addressed his departure from the
Ultimate Fighting Championship in a statement on social
media.
Basharat (16-0) completed his contract with a victory over John Garza
in July and wasn’t offered a new deal despite going unbeaten in the
promotion. In his statement, Basharat reflected on his UFC tenure
and questioned the organization’s direction.
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Farid Basharat says the UFC never offered a new contract after
his unbeaten seven-fight run
Basharat went 7-0 in the UFC after earning a contract on
Dana White’s Contender Series, with six of those victories
coming by decision. He confirmed his departure on Instagram, saying
he competed under unfavorable circumstances and never declined a
fight.
“The news is confirmed, I am no longer with the UFC,” Basharat
wrote on Instagram. “I’ve had an incredibly successful time in the
organization. I’m proud and happy with what I’ve accomplished
inside the Octagon. 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. I always turned up and fought regardless of injuries and
weight deficits. And I always asked for the toughest opponent to
get me closer to the title.”
While grateful for his time with the promotion and its staff,
Basharat questioned the UFC’s direction and said he had not
received a contract offer since his last bout.
“But my departure clearly has nothing to do with my fighting
capabilities,” Basharat added. “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. I’ve certainly never declined a fight
during my whole tenure.”