Despite his own situation, James Wilks supports UFC’s release policy
British mixed martial artist and Ultimate Fighting Championships welterweight James Wilks said on Monday he thought he’d be cut from the promotion if he lost again, but that he supported whatever decision
the UFC took.
With their pick of the world’s best mixed martial artists, the Ultimate Fighting Championships is known for having a tough policy of cutting fighters if they aren’t performing.
"If you're not winning your fights or the people don't want to watch you, then it's a business, and the UFC's got to make their decision," he said to MMAjunkie.com
The UFC raised eyebrows recently when they cut Efrain Escudero from the promotion after his loss to Charles Oliveira. It was surprising because Escudero was a star, having won a season of The Ultimate Fighter
reality show, had a 3-2 record in the UFC, and was only coming off of only one loss. The release of Escudero also marked a new era in the treatment of the Ultimate Fighter season winners, whom previously had been given a much longer rope. Wilks himself won
season nine of the reality show, meaning Escudero’s release had big ramifications for him.
“I respect whatever decision they made,” Wilks said about the Escudero decision.
"I don't think just because you won 'The Ultimate Fighter' you deserve any breaks. I think you should still perform just like anyone else has got to."
As for himself, he knows he could be in trouble. He’s 2-1 in the promotion but still hasn’t secured his long-term future just yet. One more loss might see him cut, and two more would also certainly see him
leave the UFC.
"I've just got to keep a winning record so hopefully I can stay on board with them," he said.
He’ll have a tough task ahead of him in rising Canadian prospect Claude Patrick, whom he faces at UFC 120 in his home country of England on 16 October.
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