The UFC roster has changed again. Lightweight prospect Shem Rock and longtime bantamweight Pedro Munhoz are no longer with the promotion, each leaving under different circumstances.
Shem Rock released after turbulent start
Shem Rock, a teammate of Paddy Pimblett, is no longer on the UFC roster. His departure follows a rocky start in the promotion. Rock lost his UFC debut to Nurullo Aliev last November. He then fought at UFC London, where he clashed with Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady at the weigh-ins and went on to lose that fight as well.
The back-to-back losses and the controversy at UFC London ended his run with the company. A public UFC roster tracker has since confirmed Rock is no longer signed to the promotion.
Pedro Munhoz requests his release after long career
Pedro Munhoz left on his own terms. The Brazilian bantamweight debuted in the UFC in 2014 and made 22 appearances in the 135-pound division. Munhoz became one of the most experienced fighters at bantamweight, holding the second-most bouts in UFC bantamweight history.
Munhoz headlined a Fight Night card against Frankie Edgar in 2020. Over his time in the UFC, he earned seven post-fight bonuses, a sign of how often his fights were exciting and competitive. This month, at age 39, Munhoz asked for and received his release after three consecutive losses. He said he wanted to pursue other options after a long run with the promotion.
What this means and quick facts
Both exits are notable but for different reasons. Rock’s release came after recent losses and a public incident at UFC London. Munhoz’s departure marks the end of a long and decorated run at bantamweight, with the veteran choosing to move on.
Fans and matchmakers will watch what comes next. Rock will need to regroup after two losses in the UFC, while Munhoz may explore options outside the promotion or consider the next steps in his career.
| Fighter | Recent Result |
|---|---|
| Shem Rock | Loss to Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady at UFC London; debut loss to Nurullo Aliev last November |
| Pedro Munhoz | Requested release after three consecutive losses; 22 UFC bantamweight appearances since 2014 |
The UFC roster will continue to evolve. For now, Rock and Munhoz are free agents, each heading into a new chapter of their careers.
