Emil Meek, Joe Ellenberger & MORE released

It’s been confirmed the UFC has parted ways with five athletes after their contracts expired Friday, July 2nd. The athletes leaving the promotion have been revealed as welterweight Emil Meek, lightweights Joe Ellenberger and Alexander Yakovlev, heavyweight Roque Martinez and flyweight Lara Procopio.

Emil Meek (9-5 1NC) leaves the promotion after suffering a three-fight losing streak at the hands of Kamaru Usman, Bartosz Fabinksi and Jake Matthews. Meek successfully debuted with the promotion at UFC 206 back in 2016 with a decision victory over Jordan Mein.

Joe Ellenberger, brother of UFC vet Jake Ellenberger, also makes the list despite not competing since 2014 and announcing his retirement due to a chain of eye injuries. ”Excalibur” went 1-1 in the promotion defeating James Moontasri before being defeated by Bryan Barberena.

Brazilian flyweight Lara Procopio went 1-2 in the promotion which included a victory over UK flyweight Molly McCann. We recently saw her in action at UFC Vegas 29 where she was submitted by rising prospect Casey O’Neill.

RIZIN and DEEP veteran Roque Martinez also parts way after less than a year with the promotion. Martinez was submitted in his debut by Alexander Romanov before losing back-to-back decisions to Don’Tale Mayes and Josh Parisian.

Alexander Yakovlev lost six of his nine bouts in the UFC most recently losing via submission to Joel Alvarez at UFC 254.