UFC: 10 Popular Fighters on the Verge of Being Cut

Getting cut is not a nice feeling. Over the last few months popular fighters like Gabe Gonzaga, Patrick Cote and Gerald Harris have been cut from the UFC. It's a tough business and all fighters on this list run the serious risk of joining those fighters on the outside looking in.                           

10. Marcus Davis

The Irish hand grenade is most definitely on the worst run of fight form in his whole career. Dropping a decision to Dan Hardy and then a subsequent first KO loss of his career to Ben Sanders.

A TKO win over Goulet stopped the rot momentarily before another beatdown was suffered at the hands of Nate Diaz.Davis has contemplated retirement but will face Stephens at UFC 125, in what could be his last bout with the UFC if he is to lose.

9. Paul Taylor

A popular fighter and winner of three fight of the night honours. Taylor has been on the losing side in his last two bouts and with the UFC nearly always adapting a three fight losing streak and your out policy Taylor postion on the UFC roster is under threat.

Paul Taylor could be on the verge of being cut if he is defeated by Gabe Ruediger.

8 Tim Boetsch

The slam of David Heath and the subsequent barrage of punches "The Barbarian" was born. The popular light heavyweight fighter always brought heart and determination into the cage before he was cut following a loss to Jason Briliz. 

He was later resigned and defeated newcomer Todd Brown at UFC 117. At UFC 125 Tim was defeated by up and comer Phil Davis and now again lies on the verge of being cut.

7. Paulo Thiago

A member of a special elite police force in Brazil called the BOPE, Paulo became an instant hit with the fans after his knockout of pantomime villain Josh Koscheck. Unfortunately for Thiago, two losses against Kampmann and Sanchez has put him very close to the three loses in a row and your out line

6. Luiz Cane

Another who has lost two in a row and both were brutal TKO defeats, Luiz Cane has gone from future superstar to possibly cut in a very short space of time. Losing to Lil Nog took all the momentum from the Brazilian brawler who was previously undefeated in the UFC.

Another defeat and Cane could be cut from the UFC.

5. Mike Swick

Swick was on the edge of a title shot against welterweight king GSP before a surprising loss to Dan Hardy ending his dreams. Earning the nickname "Quick" for his fast finishes, Swick will have to find one against David Mitchell if he is too stay away form the dreaded third defeat in a row.

4. Brandon Vera

When you look at prospects Jon Jones and Phil Davis you gotta wonder are their trainers pointing to Brandon Vera as a lesson on failed potential. Vera has gone from cocky brash fighter who KO's heavyweights to a slow trigger shy fighter in the space of a couple of years.

Even more worrying is Vera is currently riding a two fight losing streak and defeat to Thiago Silva could spell the end for Brandon Vera.

3. Phil Baroni

The New York Badass is a love him or hate him kinda of guy. Brash and cocky their is no doubt he looks to put slug fests on for the fans. Unfortunately it hasn't transformed into much victories in the Octagon where Baroni holds a 3-6 record.

With defeat to Amir Sadollah his last Octagon appearance, Baroni will have the chance to show the UFC brass that he means business with a fight against Brad Tavares.

2. Dustin

Hazelett looks the least imposing fighter you can imagine in the UFC. That hasn't stopped him developing quite a steady fan following in the UFC. A big fan following will only get you so far in the UFC and with two defeats in a row Hazelett is very close to being cut by the UFC.

Realizing the need for a win McLovin is moving down to lightweight in an attempt to sap the losing streak.

1. Tito Ortiz

A massive draw in the early UFC days, Tito's star is fading fast. A one sided defeat to Matt Hamill has MMA fans and experts alike wondering if the sport has past Tito by. Ortiz has not won in the UFC since he defeated Ken Shamrock by TKO October 2006. 

The excuses are running low for Tito and he needs a win against Lil Nog to stay relevant in the shark pool that is the light heavyweight class and to stay in Dana White's plans.