Despite going undefeated through seven appearances in the UFC, Farid Basharat finds himself entering free agency.
29-year-old Basharat confirmed his departure from the UFC roster recently, stating that the company “did not want to give me a new contract.”
In a video uploaded to his Youtube channel, the bantamweight talent explained that he fought out of his second UFC contract in July when he beat John Garza at UFC 329. Despite inquiring about a new deal following the end of his most recent one, Basharat claims that he never received an offer.
After a UFC campaign which saw him earn all but one of his wins via decision, Basharat believes his departure from the company comes due to his fighting style and what the UFC is hoping to receive from performers nowadays.
“I don’t think I fit the direction they’re trying to move in,” Basharat said. “I think they’re trying to go for brawlers, spill your blood whether you win or lose type of stuff. Me, the way I fight, it’s just high IQ, intelligent, defeat the opponent where they’re weak and don’t fight them where they’re strong. And I just don’t think that’s where they’re going for.”
Basharat later explained that he believes UFC is cultivating an audience which values finishes that end via finish, and doesn’t care as much about the actual level of skill being displayed. This goes against his fighting style, and he believes this type of company isn’t sustainable, he stated.
“A lot of the fanbase are equating entertainment to finishes, and that’s just not the case … It’s sad that a lot of the fanbase is being brainwashed into believing that. I think the company, the UFC, is manufacturing a fanbase that doesn’t appreciate good quality fighting. They just appreciate these rock’em type fights where, even if it’s a mismatch, even if it’s a low-level fight, as long as there’s blood, as long as it’s a first-round finish, we’re happy. And in my opinion, you can’t build a sport off that. Because you might do well for a couple of years ratings-wise, but sooner or later it’s going to delegitimize the sport and the fans are going to be left wanting high-quality fights.”
Basharat said he wasn’t sure where he would go next in his career, but assured fans he’s not done fighting. A potential avenue for him could be joining his brother, Javid, on the PFL/MVP MMA roster sometime down the line.
