Tony Kelley is no longer a UFC fighter.
Released
On Thursday, UFC Roster Watch, an algorithm-based Twitter account, was first to report the news that Kelley was no longer on the UFC roster. A source close to the situation confirmed the bantamweight’s release.
Kelley took to his Instagram story a few hours after his release and confirmed his release by responding to Adrian Yanez.
After losing his UFC debut at UFC 252 against Kai Kamaka III, Kelley would go on to defeat Ali AlQaisi and Randy Costa. In his most outing, he was finished by Yanez in the first round via TKO, prompting his UFC release.
Controversy
Kelley caused some controversy prior to his last fight in the promotion when he was caught on camera saying “dirty Brazilians” while cornering his girlfriend, Andrea Lee.
After the first round of Lee’s fight against Viviane Araujo at UFC Vegas 54, Kelley told Lee, “That’s what they’re going to do – they’re dirty f*cking Brazilians. “They’re going to f*cking cheat like that.”
Kelley was blasted all over social media, and after his loss to Yanez, he was blasted again.
The 35-year-old fighter from Louisiana leaves the UFC with a record of 2-2 in the promotion, winning Fight of the Night in his debut.
