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UFC President Dana White has made a significant roster change, releasing four fighters from the promotion in a single day. This move comes as White prepares for the UFC’s highly anticipated event at the White House South Lawn on June 14, which will feature a Lightweight Championship unification bout between Ilia Topuria and Justin Gaethje.
White recently revealed that the upcoming White House event is expected to result in a financial loss of approximately $30 million, with total costs projected to exceed $60 million. The decision to cut several fighters from the roster may be a strategic step to manage expenses amid this anticipated deficit.
On Friday, UFC Roster Tracker announced that Jamie Mullarkey (18-9), Lando Vannata (12-8-2), Vince Morales (16-11), and Daniel Marcos (18-1) have been removed from the UFC roster. All four are now listed as “not fighting” on their official UFC profiles, confirming their release and making them free agents able to join other organizations such as PFL, ONE Championship, or return to regional circuits.
The reasons behind these particular releases remain unclear, though it is known that Marcos’s contract had recently expired after his last fight in November, where he secured a unanimous decision win over Felipe Lima. Marcos, 33, holds an impressive record with notable victories over fighters like Adrian Yanez and John Castaneda, and has only suffered one loss to Montel Jackson in May 2025. His release is seen as the most surprising among the four.
Similarly unexpected is Vannata’s departure. The 34-year-old returned from a three-year hiatus in April but was defeated by TKO in his comeback fight against Darrius Flowers. Known for his creative striking and resilience, Vannata gained recognition after nearly upsetting Tony Ferguson in his UFC debut in 2016.
Australian lightweight Jamie Mullarkey also exits the promotion. His last UFC appearance was in January, when he was submitted by Quillan Salkilld at UFC 325. Mullarkey, 31, notched significant wins over Michael Johnson and John Makdessi during his tenure.
Lastly, bantamweight Vince Morales has been cut for the second time in his career. Since returning to the UFC in September 2024, Morales has struggled with an 0-4 record, including a unanimous decision loss to Colby Thicknesse at UFC Fight Night 275 in early May. Morales acknowledged his release on social media, expressing understanding but reaffirming his confidence in his abilities and hinting at upcoming plans.
These roster changes mark a notable shift for the UFC as it gears up for one of its most high-profile events yet, navigating financial challenges and continuing to shape its competitive lineup.