After suffering back-to-back losses, lightweight Thomas Gifford has announced that he’s been released from his UFC contract.

An Arkansas native, Gifford (17-9 MMA, 0-2 UFC) made his UFC debut in April, losing a unanimous decision to Roosevelt Roberts at UFC on ESPN+ 8. He got a second opportunity when he was initially scheduled to face Brok Weaver at October’s UFC on ESPN+ 19, but a last-second replacement saw Mike Davis step in his place. Gifford suffered a third-round knockout loss.

It was a brutal loss for Gifford, who took a beating throughout the fight, showing incredible heart and toughness. Many criticized referee Andrew Glenn for not intervening and stopping the fight, as Davis was able to deliver the final blow with just 15 seconds remaining in the fight, face-planting Gifford to the canvas. Gifford suffered his second straight loss,and was subsequently released from the promotion.

He took to <a href="

“I started at the lowest of lows. Just a 13 year old kid being bullied in high school. Joined a boxing gym to learn how to fight, but little did I know how I would fall in love with fighting in the way that I have. I set out a goal to be a pro fighter I wanted to be on tv one day. So my father said, “Put God first in everything you do and you can do it.” I followed his foot steps like I was taught. I accomplished what I set out to do. SPREAD GODS WORD ON THE BIGGEST MMA PLATFORM. I grew up to the man that I am today because of him keeping me on the right path with God’s word…………..the point of this long story is because I have been released from the UFC😢🙏🏼 Now there’s good news and bad.

.

Good news first —I have been set up with the best gym in the world, Factory X, with a legendary coach, Marc Montoya, and with Jason House, the best management team in the world, Team Iridium.

.

I will be back in the regional scene with a sponsorship banner, so get with me on sponsorships……..which leads me to bad news — Now that I won’t be making the big pay check, I will be back to working and saving up for my training camps back in Colorado.

.

GOD’S PLAN NOT MINE👊🏼💪🏼🙏🏼🦁🙅🏼‍♂️💯”