Sergio Moraes is no longer part of the UFC roster, multiple sources told MMA Fighting.
The Brazilian jiu-jitsu ace was let go by the promotion following his third-round TKO defeat to James Krause in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Nov. 16. Moraes leaves the company on a three-fight skid that includes defeats to Anthony Rocco Martin and Warlley Alves.
The Bellator and Jungle Fight veteran joined the UFC after competing on the first season of The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil in 2012, when he ended up in the middleweight final as a replacement for injured Daniel Sarafian. “The Panther” lost a decision to Cezar Ferreira in the reality show final.
Moraes moved back down to welterweight after the program and went undefeated for the next seven bouts, defeating the likes of Neil Magny, Omari Akhmedov and Davi Ramos, before getting knocked out by future champion Kamaru Usman. Moraes won a couple of fights in 2018, a close decision over Tim Means and a submission win against Ben Saunders, before going 0-3 this year.
The 37-year-old veteran won three jiu-jitsu world championships before making the transition full-time to MMA, defeating the likes of Kron Gracie (twice), Victor Estima, Alan Finfou, Rodrigo Cavaca, Romulo Barral and Braga Neto.