Veteran fighter Brad Tavares has officially re-signed with the UFC, clarifying that his brief absence from the roster was purely administrative.
After securing a dominant victory over Gerald Meerschaert in April, the long-time UFC presence, who has spent 15 years with the promotion, was unexpectedly removed from the official roster. This action typically occurs when a fighter`s contract expires or when they are formally released by the organization.
However, in Tavares`s case, his removal was temporary. He confirmed that he was already in negotiations for a new contract with the UFC, which has since been finalized.
Speaking on the Still Friends Show podcast, Tavares explained the situation: “My last fight completed my previous contract, so it expired. The UFC is quick with this – maybe it’s an automated system or a specific department – because as soon as that contract ended, I was removed from the roster. But I was already in the process of negotiating my new deal, which is now done. It was amusing to see the news break when I knew what was happening.”
It was somewhat surprising that Tavares reached the end of his contract, given that he has spent nearly his entire professional career competing under the UFC banner.
When his roster removal became public knowledge, Tavares received numerous messages inquiring about the situation. However, he wasn`t concerned, knowing it would be resolved quickly. He chose not to immediately address the rumors, allowing people to speculate, which he found somewhat entertaining.
While the situation was resolved favorably, Tavares acknowledged the risk involved in fighting the final bout on his contract. Coming off two consecutive losses before the Meerschaert fight, he understood that a third defeat could have marked the end of his long tenure with the promotion.
He elaborated on this risk: “That`s the chance you accept. If I had underperformed or lost that fight, it definitely would have been my last one. They might have politely moved on, or just let me go. It`s always a gamble. Throughout my career, the final fight on a contract is crucial – you need to perform well because it`s the basis for negotiation. Losing that fight makes negotiations difficult. Ultimately, it`s a business, and that`s the risk you take.”
Having successfully negotiated a new contract, Tavares is now eager for his next fight assignment. He has his sights set on surpassing Michael Bisping to hold the undisputed record for the most wins in UFC middleweight division history; they are currently tied with 16 victories at 185 pounds.
Tavares expressed gratitude towards the promotion, stating, “The UFC has always treated me well. They offered me another contract, and now I can focus on setting that record myself.”
