On Tuesday, news broke out that Cheick Kongo‘s profile was removed from the UFC website, and that his career with the Zuffa owned banner has come to an end.
However, the official details was unclear until the UFC confirmed with MMA Fighting that his contract expired after his fight with Roy Nelson at UFC 159, and was never renewed. Unfortunately, his last night in the Octagon wasn’t a memorable one, Kongo lost via knockout in the first round to Nelson’s heavy hand.
Prior to UFC 159, Kongo said the following to Ariel Helwani,
“I got to give myself, probably, two, three more years to reach [a title shot],” he said. “If not, whatever, I have enough memories to retire and go on my way and do something else.”
According to Kongo’s manager Anthony McGann, the UFC offered a four-fight deal to the French heavyweight before the Nelson fight, but turned it down due to contract agreement differences. McGann also said that Kongo will continue fighting outside the UFC.
