Overview
- Veteran reporter Guilherme Cruz reported on X that Ketlen Vieira, Ivan Erslan, Tuco Tokkos and Daniel Barez were removed from the UFC active roster, with multiple outlets publishing the news on Thursday, May 21, 2026.
- Vieira was ranked No. 5 at women’s bantamweight, had just beaten Jacqueline Cavalcanti at UFC Vegas 117, and leaves after roughly a decade in the promotion with notable wins over Holly Holm and Miesha Tate.
- Erslan and Tokkos were cut after fighting each other on the same card despite Erslan winning that bout, and Barez was also removed; each of those three had losing UFC records around 1‑3.
- No detailed official explanation from the UFC was included in the reports, and coverage links the cuts to roster clearing ahead of a new Contender Series season that could bring dozens of signings.
- Released fighters face a shifting market with likely options including PFL, return of Scott Coker’s promotion efforts, or independent shows, and the moves could reshape career paths for veterans and fringe fighters.