Uriah Hall Faces UFC Release if He Loses His Next Fight

The Ultimate Fighter reality series has produced three champions and a number of contenders since debuting on network television in 2005.  Forrest Griffin and Rashad Evans went on to win UFC titles after making their way to the Octagon via the reality show. Matt Serra won his only UFC title after appearing on The Comeback season of the series, which featured a cast consisting of UFC veterans.  Fighters such as Gray Maynard, Nate Diaz, Diego Sanchez, Kenny Florian, Josh Koscheck, Manny Gamburyan and John Dodson have competed in UFC title fights.

But no other fighter coming off the reality show generated more anticipation and hype for his UFC debut than Season 17 finalist Uriah Hall.

Hall delivered one of the most jaw-dropping knockouts in UFC history during the season’s third episode, landing a spinning hook kick to the head of Adam Cella that rendered him unconscious.

Heading in to The Ultimate Fighter 17 Finale, Hall was a heavy favorite over finalist Kelvin Gastelum, but lost via split decision after a lackluster performance.

In his next outing, Hall lost another split decision to John Howard in a largely uneventful fight.

The Jamaican native and New Yorker now finds himself on the chopping block if he doesn’t win his next fight.

“I don’t ever think of matches as the loser leaves town unless you’re talking about Uriah Hall’s next fight,” said UFC president Dana White in a recent scrum with reporters in Brazil. “Uriah Hall needs to win a fight or Uriah Hall will be leaving town.”

Hall is expected to face Chris Leben at UFC 168 on Dec. 28 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, and it sounds like he’ll be fighting to keep his job.