After a 6-0 run from 2011-2013 sent France's Francis Carmont towards the top of the UFC's 185 lbs division, a 3 fight losing streak in 2014 has ended his time in the promotion. In a statement released on Carmont's Facebook page, the 33-year-old confirmed his UFC departure:

I announce that after 6 win and 3 defeat, I am no longer a UFC fighter. However it is with determination that I will continue my career in combat sports. A friend told me, after my loss against Thales, " You will come to understand it is the best thing that could've happen for your career, it'll make you stronger." At that moment i did not quiet understand, and after reflecting i came to auto-criticize myself. I come to the conclusion that in sports just like in life, there are many and different stages. By looking for perfection on my technique, i slowly estrange myself from the combat by instinct. Seeking to score points instead of finishing my opponent. My last loss pushes me to grow everyday. Life is a learning path and my career is far from finish. Thank you very much for your constant support.

Carmont (22-10) is coming off a surprise KO loss to the resurgent Thales Leites at UFC Fight Night in Tulsa, Oklahoma, marking the first time he'd been stopped in the UFC. His prior losses during his losing streak were decisions versus Ronaldo Souza and C.B. Dollaway. At the height of his success, Carmont solidified a spot in the top 10 by scoring a victory over Costa Philippou back at UFC 165.

Realistically speaking, at 33 years of age and after a career spanning a full decade, the likelihood of Carmont returning to the UFC is fairly remote. Not just because of the losses (which obviously didn't help), but his style was definitely not perceived as exciting, and his decision wins over Tom Lawlor and Lorenz Larkin were considered iffy at best and -- in the case of the Larkin fight -- outright robberies at worst. Nevertheless, he paved a reasonably successful path towards the upper tier of his weight class, but his limitations as a striker and his notably regressed wrestling were exploited time and time again during this losing streak, and a release was always looking likely after the Leites loss. If there is any promise for post-UFC Carmont, it's the fact that middleweight isn't particularly deep in other organizations, and he is more than capable of being a contender in Bellator and in World Series of Fighting.

It should be noted that Carmont was ranked 15th in the latest update, so once he's removed you can expect someone else to take his place.