Tom Lawlor was about two months away from being able to compete again after a USADA issued suspension took the fighter away from the UFC for two years.
However, if the Major League Wrestling superstar wants to resume his professional MMA career, it won’t be with the UFC.
The fighter has issued the following statement to MMA Fighting, saying that he has been released by the UFC:
“All things come to an end and it was inevitable that so would my time in UFC. Today I was informed that I will be released by the UFC despite my USADA suspension being nearly over and my previous requests for a release being denied. While the timing is unexpected, hopefully this opens the doors for me to continue with my mixed martial arts career as well as in the squared circle (pro wrestling). Combat sports is one of my life’s great loves and I look forward to showing and sharing that with the fans as soon as possible.”
MMA Fighting did contact the UFC about Lawlor’s claims and a UFC official told them that Lawlor hasn’t been cut by the promotion. Lawlor last competed in the UFC at UFC 196, suffering a decision loss to Corey Anderson.
Lawlor has been competing in pro wrestling since the suspension and has been primarily competing in MLW, where he recently won the Battle Riot to earn a future opportunity at the MLW Heavyweight Championship.
