[MoFo]

Just three years ago, it looked like Gabriel Gonzaga will tear the UFC’s heavyweight division a new limb. Coupled with his world-class Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu skills and punch prowess, it looked like the sky was the limit for the 31 year old. But after suffering back-to-back losses to Junior dos Santos and Brendan Schaub in his most recent outings, the UFC decided to cut their losses and sent the Brazilian packing. After vying for the promotion’s heavyweight strap in 2007 against then champion Randy Couture (unsuccessfully, Gonzaga suffered a third-round TKO loss) Gabriel would go on to compile an overall record of 3-4 over his next seven fights. Following a lackluster performance against heavyweight rising contender Brendan Schaub last Saturday at UFC 121, it looked like it be inevitable that Gonzaga would be released from the promotion, though it came as a surprise to most, understandably since delivering some highlight reel memories that fans still talk about, namely, his head kick knockout of former PRIDE champion, Mirko Cro Cop. Gonzaga released the news himself, tweeting the news to his near five-thousand strong followers. “Official now – Out of UFC – Thanks for all your support – back to normal life and BJJ forever”, tweeted the heavyweight. A free agent for the first time in 5 years, his name will likely carry him to a reputable promotion, possibly Strikeforce as they continue to bolster their ever expanding roster.

Yah, Patrick Cote got released as well.