Double Impact! Fast-Rising Bantamweight With Winning Record Released For Second Time In Latest Round Of UFC Roster Cuts

Five more fighters have been cut from Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

UFC Roster Tracker revealed today (Thurs, Feb. 27, 2025) that five more fighters have been released from their respective contracts and/or the promotion decided not to extend them. Reporter Tom Feely was the first to report the fighters were absent from UFC.com.

The fighters who lost their spots on the roster include:

• Taylor Lapilus
• Julio Arce
• Josh Culibao
• Jonathan Pearce

Photo by Mike Roach/Zuffa LLC

Of the five fighters who lost their jobs today, Lapilus (21-4) is the most shocking. “Double Impact” was released in 2016 after going 3-1 in the promotion and spent seven years outside of it racking up seven wins. Lapilus got the call to return to UFC for its second visit to France in 2023 and went 3-1 again, with his only loss coming against Farid Basharat.

Lapilus exits UFC with a 6-2 record.

(One last note: With UFC going to Paris every year, they could use all the French fighters possible, which makes this release even more head-scratching)

Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Another strange cut because UFC needs Aussie fighters to fill cards was Culibao (11-4-1). The 30-year-old fighter is riding a three-fight losing streak, but many fans believe he won his last two split-decision losses.

After his first two UFC fights didn’t go his way, “Kuya” rattled off three wins, including a second-round submission win over Melsik Baghdasaryan (watch highlights).

Culibao exits UFC with a 3-4-1 record.

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

Stamann (21-8-1) had the most UFC fights of the fighters who were axed. The 35-year-old is riding a three-fight losing streak, losing to Da’Mon Blackshear, Lapilus, and Douglas Silva de Andrade.

Stamann scored only a single finish inside the Octagon, but it was a good one. He demolished (and retired) Eddie Wineland at UFC Austin in 2022 (watch highlights).

“The Spartan” exits UFC with a 7-7-1 record.

Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Arce (6-4) competed on season one of Contender Series but did not receive a contract even though he finished Peter Petties. Five months later, he got a short-notice call and defeated Dan Ige.

After going 3-2 at Featherweight, the Tiger Schulmann’s-trained fighter dropped to Bantamweight but missed weight twice, which probably led to UFC giving him his walking papers.

Arce exits the promotion with a 6-4 record.

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

The downfall of “JSP” needs to be studied.

Pearce (14-7) started his UFC career horrifically when he was brutalized by Joe Lauzon in Boston (watch highlights). However, he then rattled off five wins with three finishes—some of the names were Christian Rodriguez, Kai Kamaka, and Darren Elkins.

“JSP” was then matched up with Bryce Mitchell at UFC 288 for a top 15 spot but pulled out of the fight with an injury. (Funny enough, UFC 314 Featherweight title challenger Diego Lopes ended up getting his shot because of JSP’s withdrawal)

The 32-year-old never got his fight with Mitchell and went on a three-fight losing streak.

Pearce exits the UFC with a 5-4.

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