""I think it was a warning from UFC to all fighters," Burns remarked. "Paramount just put a lot of money here. We are in a new era. We need entertainment.""
""I don't know [Almeida's] manager and I don't want to say anything bad about this guy," Burns noted cautiously. "But the managers must understand that they work for the fighters. After Lewis and Volkov, probably [the] UFC told him that they didn't like his performances. The manager should have warned the trainers and 'Malhadinho' about that in order to totally change his attitude in the Octagon.""
The UFC released heavyweight Jailton Almeida despite an 8-3 promotional record following two lackluster fights. Almeida produced a dull five-round outgrapple of Derrick Lewis with little damaging offense and suffered slow decision losses to Alexander Volkov and Rizvan Kuniev. Gilbert Burns suggested the promotion, influenced by Paramount's investment, is prioritizing entertainment and sending a warning to fighters. Burns also emphasized that managers must protect fighters by advising changes and maintaining solid relationships with the company after negative feedback about performances. The cut sparked debate given other fighters with poor recent records remain on the roster.
Read at Sherdog
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