Erik Koch and UFC have reportedly gone their separate ways.
Longtime UFC veteran Koch has been released by the promotion after a 10-year career under the ZUFFA banner in both the UFC and WEC, according to MMA Fighting. The UFC reportedly confirmed the news.
Lightweight and featherweight veteran Erik Koch is the latest fighter to exit the UFC as the promotion continues to purge the roster. #UFC https://t.co/iyVjDvKfZm
— Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) December 23, 2020
Koch began his career under the ZUFFA banner fighting in the World Extreme Cagefighting in 2009, before transitioning to the UFC when that promotions doors were shuttered. Over the course of his decade as a staple of the UFC's featherweight division, Koch fought to an eight-win, 6 loss record, and shared the cage with the likes of Chad Mendes, Dustin Poirier, and Ricardo Lamas.
Koch did not fight for the promotion in 2020, and was last seen in the UFC cage back in July of 2019, winning a decision victory over Kyle Stewart. Back at the beginning of December, Dana White pledged as many as 60 fighters would be purged from the UFC roster, and it seems that even coming off a win isn't enough to ensure continued employment.
Fightful has all of your MMA needs covered. Follow us on Twitter for updates, and subscribe to our YouTube channel for exclusive interviews, lists, news updates and predictions.
