The UFC releases Eliot Marshall and Shannon Gugerty

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The UFC has reportedly released light-heavyweight Eliot Marshall and lightweight Shannon Gugerty from their contracts following losses at Sunday's UFC on Versus 1 event.

Marshall's UFC release is very surprising as the promotion tends to release fighters after losing back-to-back fights. Marshall suffered his first UFC loss at Sunday's event after previously winning three bouts with the promotion. Marshall would be a relevant pick-up for any promotion, even more so for the San Jose-based Strikeforce promotion, whose light-heavyweight division is still developing.

Marshall began his UFC career as a cast member on The Ultimate Fighter 8 where he was defeated by Karn Grigoryan in the season's elimination bouts, however, Grigoryan was unable to continue onto the show, and Marshall was given a second chance. He then defeated Shane Primm, but would go onto lose to eventual TUF 8 winner Ryan Bader in the semi-finals.

As previously mentioned, Marshall won his first three UFC bouts, defeating Jules Bruchez at TUF 8 finale in December 2008,  Vinicius Magalhães at UFC 97 in April 2009, and Jason Brilz at UFC 103 in September. He exits the UFC suffering his first Octagon loss against veteran Vladimir Matyushenko at the aforementioned UFC on Versus 1 event on March 21.

Prior to competing in the UFC, Marshall fought the first six bouts of his career with the Colorado-based Ring of Fire organization. He has put together a solid 8-2 MMA record over his four-year career, with six of his wins being by stoppage including five coming by submission. His only other career loss came against former UFC fighter Rob MacDonald in December 2007.

Gugerty has lost two straight bouts inside the Octagon against Terry Etim at UFC 105 and most recently against Clay Guida at this past Sunday's UFC on Versus 1. Prior to the losses, he defeated Matt Grice at UFC 100 in July. He exits the UFC with a sub-par 2-3 record, suffering a loss in his sophomore effort with the promotion against Spencer Fisher at UFC 90 after defeating Dale Hartt in his UFC debut in July 2008 at UFC Fight Night 14.

Gugerty has competed the majority of his four-year career with Total Combat, fighting 10 of his 17 career bouts with the promotion. He sports a 12-5 MMA record, scoring stoppages in all of his 12 career wins including nine by submission. He holds a notable career win over longtime WEC veteran Cub Swanson.