'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAMDAwMDAwQEBAQFBQUFBQcHBgYHBwsICQgJCAsRCwwLCwwLEQ8SDw4PEg8bFRMTFRsfGhkaHyYiIiYwLTA+PlQBAwMDAwMDBAQEBAUFBQUFBwcGBgcHCwgJCAkICxELDAsLDAsRDxIPDg8SDxsVExMVGx8aGRofJiIiJjAtMD4+VP/AABEIAAYACgMBIgACEQEDEQH/xABgAAEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABggQAAIBBAEFAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECAwAEETEFEhMhMjQBAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADEQEAAgIDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgMAEUFxsf/aAAwDAQACEQMRAD8Ay7xbvNxt9Lb2dkh6ba0kaUNN9bDDorerKF2CN1Mzd9ZpAYoBhyMKXwPOhmlKVRGdjzs8y9oEKzvP/9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Deron Winn has officially been released from the UFC, ending his three-year tenure with the promotion.
There was a lot of hype surrounding Winn when he joined the promotion in 2019, and rightfully so. At the time, his collegiate wrestling background and 5-0 MMA record were appealing, but what was equally as impressive was his most recent win against UFC veteran Tom Lawlor.
His UFC release comes as a surprise, especially considering the middleweight was forced to withdraw from his bout against Julian Marquez at UFC Vegas 66 after falling down the stairs at the UFC Performance Institute, resulting in a mild concussion.
Following the injury, he released a statement on his Instagram that described the reasoning for his removal from the card and was hopeful the bout with Marquez would be rescheduled for a later date, writing:
"I hope to rebook soon. Sorry to my opponent and sorry to all who have invested into me this camp."
Winn departed the UFC with a 7-3 MMA record, so it will be interesting to see in which promotion he continues his career.
Deron Winn upset but intends on continuing his MMA career
Obviously, Deron Winn wasn't happy about being released from the UFC, especially considering that it followed an injury and it's the holiday season. The middleweight took to Twitter and immediately reacted to the news, saying:
"Being released after a freak accident on their property the week before Christmas. Man 'it's business not personal' has never been more real"
The 33-year-old also posted a lengthy video on his Instagram account, where he revealed that Hunter Campbell called him on Tuesday to let him know that the promotion was parting ways with him. He added that he felt horrible after hearing the news, but won't let it define who he is, saying:
"I feel sh**ty about it. I just wish it would've happened a different way. But that being said, UFC will never define me or who I am as a person and a man. I do believe it's a highlight of my life and something that I did and just another dream that I accomplished."
