20 former UFC fighters who could return to the promotion in 2024
It’s hard to make it to the UFC.
Thousands of professional fighters try every year – and most fail. For a small percentage, however, they sign their names on the dotted line to fight for the biggest MMA promotion in the world.
Sometimes the opportunity comes a bit too soon. Other times, they’re faced with difficult matchups that time proves were bigger challenges than originally anticipated.
When the pink slip comes and a fighter departs the promotion, there is often a phrase they hear on the way out: “Go get a few more wins, and the UFC will consider bringing you back.”
Easier said than done.
For the vast majority, they won’t be back. However, it’s not impossible. A number of fighters have done it over the years. Just look at former UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno. He was released from the promotion, built his way back, became a contender, and then won a UFC title.
Current roster members Nicolas Dalby, Dustin Jacoby, Modestas Bukauskas, Kurt Holobaugh, Roosevelt Roberts, and Rhys McKee are among those who have reinforced the possibility.
With the new year upon us, here are 20 former UFC fighters who could return to the promotion in 2024.
Note: Fighters considered for this list had to have competed in at least one UFC bout.
Humberto Bandenay
Age: 29
Weight class: Lightweight
Overall record: 22-8
Record since UFC departure: 8-1 (four-fight winning streak)
Humberto Bandenay created some hype early in his UFC tenure as a 22-year-old Peruvian who won his debut by head kick knockout. Things went downhill for Bandenay thereafter, as he lost three straight fights en route to his promotional exit. Since then, however, it’s been up and up for Bandenay, who’s only loss outside the promotion in nine appearances came by decision against Rafa Garcia, a current member of the UFC’s lightweight roster. Bandenay currently rides a four-fight winning streak with three straight submissions.
Talita Bernardo
Dakota Bush
Shane Campbell
Randy Costa
Age: 29
Weight class: Featherweight
Overall record: 8-4
Record since UFC departure: 2-0 (one bareknuckle MMA)
It’s been a weird road for Randy Costa thus far in his MMA career – but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. He entered the UFC unusually inexperienced at just 4-0. During his six-fight UFC tenure, Costa went 2-4 but proved he is must-see TV. Since his departure in 2022, Costa has struggled to find fights. That may have changed, however, with his recent entry into Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA. He turned heads in his promotional debut in November when he pummeled Jason Knight en route to a gruesome 101-second TKO finish.
Kyle Daukaus
Alex Da Silva
Age: 27
Weight class: Lightweight
Overall record: 23-5
Record since UFC departure: 2-1 (two-fight winning streak)
One of the best ways to catch the UFC’s attention after a release is to jump right back into tough fights – no record-padding. That’s exactly what Alex da Silva did. Even though he lost a split decision against Makkasharip Zaynukov, he rebounded nicely with finishes of Ali Mashrapov and Bagysh Zharmamatov. UAE Warriors has established itself as one of the tougher regional promotions to have success in, so Silva being a multi-division titleholder should increase his chances of another UFC opportunity.
Khadis Ibragimov
Anthony Ivy
Age: 33
Weight class: Welterweight/middleweight
Overall record: 13-7
Record since UFC departure: 5-3 (five-fight winning streak)
One of the more improbable career turnarounds belongs to Anthony Ivy. Following a two-fight UFC stint that included two losses, Ivy lost three more fights outside the organization. On a five-fight skid that included three knockout/TKO victories, Ivy stuck to the grind and rattled off five straight wins – all finishes – under four promotional banners.
Mason Jones
Age: 28
Weight class: Lightweight
Overall record: 13-2
Record since UFC departure: 2-0
Mason Jones went 1-2 with one no contest in his first UFC stint. The news of his promotional departure surprised some fans, however, as Jones has showed glimpses of promise and potential through the tenure, most notably his Fight of the Night bonus-earning brawl against Mike Davis in his UFC debut. Now back with Cage Warriors, Jones has won back-to-back fights by TKO.
Saidyokub Kakhramonov
Age: 28
Weight class: Featherweight
Overall record: 11-3
Record since UFC departure: 1-0 MMA, 1-0 karate
Saidyokub Kakhramonov was one of the stranger UFC departures in recent memory. Despite a 2-1 record with a strong showing in the lone defeat, Kakhramonov was shown the door in 2023. Since then, Kakhramonov has expressed frustration finding opponents. The solo MMA fight post-fight was a dominant performance, as he submitted 14-3 Rafael Costa in 55 seconds under the XMMA banner. In December, Kakhramonov told MMA Junkie he’s made life changes to mature and asked the UFC for another opportunity. Let’s see if he gets it.
Bobby Moffett
Age: 33
Weight class: Lightweight
Overall record: 17-6
Record since UFC departure: 4-1 (four-fight winning streak)
Bobby Moffett has chipped away nicely at his post-UFC resume. Following his UFC departure, Moffett went 1-1 under the PFL banner with the victory against Jason Knight. Moffett followed up that performance with three more victories including two submissions. Moffett continues to improve, training under Eddie Cha and Santino Defranco at Fight Ready MMA in Scottsdale, Ariz..
Joseph Morales
Vince Morales
Age: 33
Weight class: Bantamweight
Overall record: 14-7
Record since UFC departure: 3-0
Vince Morales had a killer lead-up to the UFC. While his 3-5 stint with the promotion was inconsistent, Morales is back in domination mode post-UFC. After back-to-back finishes of UFC alum Teruto Ishihara and Joe Penafiel, Morales took a fight in RIZIN on New Year’s Eve. He won a unanimous decision against seasoned professional Yuki Motoya in enemy territory, shooting him into 2024 with even more momentum.
Kris Moutinho
Age: 31
Weight class: Bantamweight
Overall record: 12-6
Record since UFC departure: 3-0
Kris Moutinho’s claim to fame perhaps isn’t an ideal one at this point, but his lopsided loss to Sean O’Malley made him a known name to fight fans around the world. Put his quick-lived UFC stint to the side for a moment and focus on the process. Moutinho is undefeated with three finishes since his departure and has begun training with Rob Font and Calvin Kattar under coach Tyson Chartier on a more regular basis. A bit reinvented, Moutinho could perhaps use his large social media following and skillset advancements to prove he’s more than what he showed against the now-current UFC bantamweight champion.
Justin Scoggins
Eric Shelton
Age: 32
Weight class: Bantamweight
Overall record: 17-8
Record since UFC departure: 5-2 (two-fight winning streak)
Put Eric Shelton up against any fighter and it’s likely he’ll hold his own. One of the more durable flyweight fighters in the world, Shelton can make it ugly against anyone. Perhaps his style holds him back a bit, but Shelton continues to rack up the results he wants. Even after a loss, a winning streak seemingly always follows. With back-to-back wins over 7-1 and 12-1 opponents, Shelton has set himself up nicely for a potential UFC return in 2024.
Albert Tumenov
Timur Valiev
Age: 33
Weight class: Bantamweight
Overall record: 18-3
Record since UFC departure: 1-1 in TUF exhibitions
From World Series of Fighting (WSOF) to PFL to the UFC, Timur Valiev largely dominated every foe placed in his path. That’s why it was a bit surprising he left the UFC with a 2-1 (with one no contest) record. Despite the abrupt end to his UFC tenure, a stint on “The Ultimate Fighter 31” shows the UFC might not be all out on Valiev, who made it to the tournament semifinal where he lost a razor-thin split decision to eventual season winner Brad Katona.
Youssef Zalal
Age: 27
Weight class: Featherweight
Overall record: 13-5-1
Record since UFC departure: 3-0
Not many fighters depart the UFC off a draw, but Youssef Zalal did. It was not of his own volition, of course. Zalal reentered the regional scene with two quick knockout wins in 2022. He only competed once in 2023, a first-round submission win. As the calendar flips to 2024, the horizons seem bright for Zalal, who continues to grind daily at Factory X in Colorado.
Honorable mentions
