The UFC continues to trim its roster, appearing to make good on its plan to cut back by 25 percent.  The Wrestling Observer reports that UFC lightweight hopeful Din Thomas, Shooto veteran Kuniyoshi Hironaka and The Ultimate Fighter 6 runner-up, Tommy Speer, are the latest to be dismissed from the UFC fold.

Meanwhile, another recently-released fighter has offered his personal thoughts on who he thinks could be up next on the chopping block.

The 31-year old Thomas was highly-touted when he made his debut in 2001.  Early victories landed him a UFC contract, which he eventually left two years later, only to return during The Ultimate Fighter's comeback fourth season.  He recently suffered a serious knee injury during a main event bout with Kenny Florian and then went on to lose a unanimous decision to Josh Neer.  He is reportedly mulling over whether to keep fighting outside the organization or retire from the world of MMA altogether.

Thirty-one year old Kuniyoshi Hironaka's debut at UFC 64 ended in a losing decision to top welterweight contender, Jon Fitch.  After rebounding via a triumphant decision over Forrest Petz, he then went down in second-round TKOs to Thiago Alves and Jonathan Goulet.

Finally, 23-year old Tommy Speer performed remarkably well during the sixth season of The Ultimate Fighter but went on to lose in a first-round submission to Mac Danzig during the live finale.  He then also got knocked after just 51-seconds in his bout against Anthony Johnson at UFC Fight Night 13 last month.

For his part, Travis Lutter, who was let go by UFC earlier, thinks Matt Serra may be the next victim of the contract cuts.

“I would guess that Serra will have a similar fate as me if he loses the Matt Hughes fight,” Lutter said in an interview with Fight Hype.


-Rosario Santiago, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: Wrestling Observer, MMAFrenzy.com
(Image Courtesy of mmahq.com)