UFC ‘Bum’ Kron Gracie Reportedly Cut Following Dismal Run in Organization, Fans Rejoice originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The UFC has parted ways with Kron Gracie, per a roster update first reported by Borrachinha Depot on X (formerly Twitter).
The 36-year-old Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist, son of MMA legend Rickson Gracie and nephew of UFC pioneer Royce Gracie, was removed from the promotion’s active roster alongside fellow featherweights Hakeem Dawodu and Connor Matthews.
Gracie’s exit comes after a disappointing UFC run of one win and three losses, capped by a brutal TKO loss to Bryce Mitchell at UFC 310 last December.
Gracie entered the UFC in 2019 with high expectations after an undefeated run in the premier Japanese MMA promotion, RIZIN. After submitting Alex Caceres in his debut, his momentum stalled after a Fight of the Night loss to Cub Swanson later that year. A four-year hiatus followed before he returned in 2023, only to drop a decision to Charles Jourdain and get violently finished by Mitchell.
In his final fight in the UFC, he repeatedly pulled guard, a tactic which led to him getting TKO’d by Mitchell. Gracie fought just four times in six years, with his lone win remaining his 2019 debut.
UFC CEO Dana White has long emphasized performance-based roster decisions, and Gracie’s release fits that pattern.
“I like Kron a lot, and he’s a good kid,” White said of Gracie during the UFC 288 post-fight press conference after his 2023 loss to Jourdain. “He came in very limited tonight. Very limited… It was like coming out of a time capsule in 1995. Tough way to try to win a fight these days.”
His reliance on BJJ without adapting his striking drew fan backlash, with many fans online relishing the news of his release when it was shared on X (formerly Twitter) by UFC insider, “Krazy Kev.”
Here are some comments reacting to the news:
“Good riddance.”
“Might be the worst ‘fighter’ to ever get signed.”
“This was long overdue.”
“After that last guard pulling match that Bryce [Mitchell] had to deal with… good.”
“It’s 2025, and he fights like his father 35 years ago did.”
“Let’s celebrate.”
“So long, butt scooter.”
Gracie’s departure marks the end of the Gracie family’s current UFC era. While his last name brought initial hype, his inability to evolve in modern MMA sealed his fate.
Though Gracie hasn’t announced retirement, a return to BJJ competitions or coaching may be likely. Meanwhile, the UFC moves forward, with UFC 316 headlined by Merab Dvalishvili vs. Sean O’Malley serving as a stark contrast to Gracie’s faded promise.
Related: Only Fighter to Beat Current UFC Champion in Danger of Release, Moves Up in Weight
Related: Ranked UFC Heavyweight in Danger of Being Cut—Decision Looms
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 6, 2025, where it first appeared.