Joe Giannetti didn’t make much of a first impression at “The Ultimate Fighter 27” finale, and now he’s no longer part of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
The “TUF 27” finalist recently announced his UFC release via Instagram. Giannetti submitted Allan Zuniga and John Gunther on the reality show but dropped a lackluster split decision to Michael Trizano with a UFC contract on the line on the “TUF 27” finale on July 6. In many cases, multiple competitors from “TUF” get UFC contracts, but Giannetti’s debut performance wasn’t enough to earn him another shot within the Las Vegas-based promotion just yet.
“The UFC has decided to let me go,” Giannetti wrote. “I don’t blame them. I didn’t fight like I wanted to or carry myself as I should.”
Giannetti will return to the cage on Nov. 3 against Dan Dubuque for the Cage Titans FC lightweight title. The 23-year-old known as “Skeletor” began his MMA career with six consecutive victories under the Cage Titans FC banner, defeating all but one of his opponents via submission.