John Howard, Andre Winner Latest to be Cut from Zuffa Roster

"Doomsday" John Howard (red/black trunks) is one of two fighters announced today as having been cut by the UFC. (Photo courtesy of Dave Mandel and Sherdog)

Welterweight “Doomsday” John Howard (14-7) and lightweight Andre Winner (12-6-1) are the latest members of the UFC’s roster to have their necks stretched across the Zuffa chopping block. It was announced today that the heavy-handed Boston native Howard and The Ultimate Fighter 9 runner-up from Team Rough House, Winner, have had their last fights inside the UFC Octagon.

“Doomsday” introduced himself to UFC fans worldwide with a four-fight winning streak, taking out opponents such as “The Barn Cat” Tamdan McCrory (11-3) and MMA veteran “Superman” Dennis Hallman (45-13-2). His tear through the UFC’s welterweight division however was put to an abrupt stop by Jake Ellenberger (24-5) in August 2010. Howard followed up his loss to Ellenberger with two more consecutive defeats, the most recent of which was at the hands of “The Immortal” Matt Brown (12-10) in June, prompting the UFC to cut ties with “Doomsday”. Howard announced via his Twitter that he is now looking to sign with Bellator or DREAM, or “whoever makes the best offer”.

Like Howard, TUF 9 runner-up Andre Winner also has been cut following a trio of losses. Andre was defeated by fellow Brit and winner of their season, “The Real Deal” Ross Pearson (17-6-1) at The Ultimate Fighter 9 Finale in June 2009. He bounced back by KOing TUF 8 vet and BJJ black belt “The Crazy Cuban” Roli Delgado (8-5-1) in the first round of their UFC 105 bout and going the distance and earning the judges’ nod against “Tractor” Rafaello Oliveira (11-4) four months later. In the proceeding 15 months, Andre fell to “The Carny” Nik Lentz (19-3-2), Dennis Siver (19-7), and Anthony Njokuani (13-5). Winner confirmed the news via his Twitter, stating, “Yes I have been cut [from the UFC] but I’m gonna destroy my future opponents and I’m confident I will get back to the UFC…Won’t be happy until I get back to the UFC and get re-matched with [Anthony] Njokuani and [Dennis] Siver and kick their ass [sic]!”