UFC Cuts Veteran Who Is One Of Only 2 To Take Down Islam Makhachev
The UFC quietly released lightweight veteran Thiago Moises after a 16-fight run, parting with one of only two fighters to ever take Islam Makhachev down in the UFC.
Brian Mazique, Contributor
Forbes
2 min read
5/10
Las Vegas
Key Takeaways
Thiago Moises was released by the UFC after a 16-fight tenure (9-7 record), following a unanimous decision loss to Antonio Trocoli in April 2026.
Moises is one of only two fighters in UFC history to successfully take down Islam Makhachev, the current lightweight champion and pound-for-pound No. 1.
The only other fighter to take down Makhachev in the UFC is Adriano Martins, who did so in 2015; no one else has achieved that feat.
Moises' notable wins include Michael Johnson, Bobby Green, and Christos Giagos; his losses include Dariush, Álvarez, and Trocoli.
The UFC lightweight division has over 70 contracted fighters, making it one of the most competitive and cutthroat rosters in the promotion.
The UFC has quietly cut lightweight veteran Thiago Moises, ending a 16-fight run in the promotion. Moises is one of only two fighters to ever take down reigning champion Islam Makhachev in the octagon, making his release a surprising move that underscores the brutal business side of mixed martial arts. The Ultimate Fighting Championship parted ways with Thiago Moises, a 31-year-old Brazilian lightweight who had been with the promotion since 2018. Moises compiled a 9-7 record in the UFC, including notable wins over Michael Johnson, Bobby Green, and Christos Giagos. But his claim to fame remains his 2021 bout against Islam Makhachev, where Moises became just the second fighter—and the first since Adriano Martins in 2015—to successfully take Makhachev down. Makhachev, the current UFC lightweight champion and pound-for-pound king, has been almost untouchable on the ground, making Moises' feat a statistical anomaly. The release comes after Moises lost his most recent fight, a unanimous decision to Antonio Trocoli in April 2026, and now rides a two-fight skid. The UFC has a history of trimming its roster after fighters hit losing streaks, especially in deep divisions like lightweight. With over 70 fighters on the lightweight roster, competition for spots is fierce. Moises, who started his career at 11-2, had back-to-back submission losses to Beneil Dariush and Joel Álvarez before his win over Johnson in early 2025. The decision to cut Moises suggests the promotion values recent performance over historical accomplishments. For Moises, this is a significant setback. At 31, he still has time to rebuild his career in other organizations like PFL or ONE Championship, where his name recognition and takedown lore could earn him a contract. The UFC's move also sends a message that even unique achievements don't guarantee job security. Fans and analysts on social media expressed surprise, with many noting that the takedown of Makhachev should have bought Moises more goodwill. The lightweight division continues to evolve, with rising contenders like Benoît Saint Denis, Arman Tsarukyan, and Mateusz Gamrot vying for title shots. Moises' release is a reminder that in the UFC, what have you done lately matters most.
Frequently Asked Questions
Thiago Moises is a Brazilian lightweight mixed martial artist who fought in the UFC from 2018 to 2026. He compiled a 9-7 record and is known for being one of only two fighters to take down Islam Makhachev in the octagon.
Thiago Moises had 16 fights in the UFC, winning 9 and losing 7. His final fight was a unanimous decision loss to Antonio Trocoli in April 2026.
The only two fighters to successfully take down Islam Makhachev in the UFC are Thiago Moises (2021) and Adriano Martins (2015). No other opponent has managed that feat.
The UFC typically cuts fighters after losing streaks, especially in deep divisions. Moises lost his last two fights—to Joel Álvarez and Antonio Trocoli—making him expendable despite his historical takedown of Islam Makhachev.
Thiago Moises is now a free agent and may sign with other promotions such as PFL, ONE Championship, or the Professional Fighters League. He is still 31 years old and has name value from his UFC tenure.
Islam Makhachev is the UFC lightweight champion and considered the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. He has a dominant wrestling-based style, and very few opponents have managed to take him down, making the feat extremely rare.
