Sheila Gaff First Woman Released By The UFC


Sheila Gaff has the unfortunate honor of being the first woman released by the UFC.

Gaff (10-6 MMA, 0-2 UFC) signed a four-fight contract with the UFC in March, and made her debut at UFC 159 against Sara McMann. McMann won the fight by TKO at 4:06 in the first round.

Gaff’s second fight in the UFC didn’t go any better. She was defeated by Amanda Nunes by TKO at 2:08 in the first round at UFC 163 earlier this month.

As a flyweight, Gaff won three consecutive fights from 2011 to 2012. Her last victory came on March 16, 2012, when she defeated Jennifer Maia by KO at Cage Warriors: Fight Night 4.

Unfortunately for Gaff, the UFC doesn’t have a women’s flyweight division, and she had to move up to bantamweight. Both Nunes and McMann were already fighting at 135, while Gaff had been fighting at 125. Gaff had also fought at 145 pounds in the featherweight division.

News of Gaff’s release was broken by German website GroundandPound.de.

“Disappointments and defeats belong to every fighter in this career, but I will go on… Most of all I am sorry that I could not show my fans what I can really do,” Gaff said. “In the last two weeks the love and uplifting words from many of my fans have helped. Thanks also for the support of sponsors MMA Spirit, Geva and Olimp.”

After Gaff’s release, the UFC’s women’s division dropped to 12 fighters.

With Bellator having effectively dissolved its women’s division, the next step for Gaff could be to sign with Invicta, an all-women’s promotion. However, her manager said a decision has not yet been made about her future.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, Ronda Rousey became the first woman to sign with the UFC in November 2012. Rousey defended her bantamweight championship against Liz Carmouche in the first-ever women’s match in UFC history at UFC 157 in February.

What do you think is next for Sheila Gaff after her release from the UFC?

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