Ottman Azaitar Cut by UFC Due to COVID-19 Protocol Violation

 The UFC has cut ties with rising lightweight Ottman Azaitar, after the fighter’s team allegedly violated the promotion’s COVID-19 saftey protocols.

White announces Azaitar has been released

Earlier in Friday it was revealed that the undefeated fighter would not longer fight Matt Frevola as scheduled, at UFC 257. The reason why wasn’t immediately known.

But, since then, White told MMA Junkie’s Farah Hannoun this.

“He and his team cut their wristbands off and got them to people on the outside, one guy,” White said.

“This guy got inside the bubble, went in through a room, shimmied down four balconies, went in through (Azaitar’s) balcony, and dropped off a bag of we don’t know what.

Then he changed his clothes and went back outside of the bubble. We got everything on camera, we saw the whole thing, and how it all went down, pulled his fight and cut him.”

Azaitar’s future

Given that Azaitar has gone 13-0 to date, and that includes two stoppage wins in the UFC, the 30-year-old will almost certainly find a new promotional home soon. 

It remains to be seen, however, whether given this alleged incident, if it’s a big stage promotion like Bellator or the PFL.

As this is being written, neither the fighter or his team have commented on the situation.