TLDR
- UFC removed Jose Medina and Felipe Bunes from its active roster on March 2, 2026
- Medina finished his UFC career winless at 0-4, losing his final fight in 41 seconds to Ryan Gandra
- Dana White signed Medina despite a Contender Series loss after seeing his ‘heart’ in defeat
- Bunes exits the promotion with a 1-3 record after losing to Edgar Chairez in Mexico City
- Both fighters lost at UFC Mexico City, which had 3,500 empty seats in a rare non-sellout
Sources: MMA Mania | EssentiallySports | Yardbarker | MMA Mania
The UFC removed two fighters from its active roster on March 2, 2026, following their losses at UFC Mexico City. Jose Medina and Felipe Bunes were both cut after disappointing performances that ended their runs with the promotion.
Medina leaves the UFC with an 0-4 record and an overall record of 11-7. His final bout lasted just 41 seconds before Ryan Gandra knocked him out at UFC Mexico City on February 28.
The Bolivian fighter never won inside the Octagon during his entire stint with the promotion. He lost to Dusko Todorovic, Ateba Gautier, and Zach Reese before the knockout loss to Gandra.
Controversial Contender Series Signing
Medina’s path to the UFC was unusual from the start. He earned a contract on Season 7 of Dana White’s Contender Series in October 2023 despite losing his fight.
Magomed Gadzhiyasulov beat Medina by a clear 30-27 decision across three rounds. However, UFC CEO Dana White signed him anyway after seeing his heart and emotion during the bout.
White has not publicly explained his decision to sign a fighter who lost his audition fight. Medina became only the second Bolivian fighter to ever compete in the UFC.
Once inside the Octagon, Medina served primarily as a stepping stone for rising prospects. He entered free agency on a five-fight losing streak that includes his Contender Series defeat.
Bunes Exits After Brief UFC Run
Felipe Bunes finished his UFC career with a 1-3 record and an overall record of 14-9. The former LFA flyweight champion joined the promotion in 2023 with high hopes.
His UFC debut was canceled after he failed a pre-fight drug test. He was scheduled to face Zhalgas Zhumagulov on short notice but never made it to the cage.
Bunes finally debuted in January 2024 against Joshua Van, who would later become champion. Van knocked him out in the second round.
After nearly a year away from competition, Bunes returned in 2025 with a first-round armbar submission win over Jose Johnson. That victory would be his only success in the promotion.
He lost his next two fights to Rafael Estevam and Edgar Chairez. Estevam missed weight by four pounds for their bout, while Chairez beat Bunes by split decision in Mexico City.
The UFC Mexico City event itself marked an unusual moment for the promotion. The event failed to sell out, leaving approximately 3,500 empty seats in the arena.
This was the first non-sellout for the UFC in three years. Dana White did not disclose the gate revenue for the event, which is standard practice when shows sell out.
Reporter Guilherme Cruz first broke the news of both roster cuts on March 2. The UFC typically removes fighters from its roster either through outright releases or by choosing not to renew expired contracts.
Medina leaves the sport on a five-fight losing streak dating back to his Contender Series appearance. Bunes exits after losing two consecutive decisions to close out his UFC tenure.
