SIGNINGS, RE-SIGNINGS, AND RELEASES

Before we look ahead toward UGP 11, we ought to sit back and look around us. Union Grand Prix has continuously grown since its inaugural September 2018 event in Chicago, and has become arguably the top MMA promotion in the world. Rookie fighters through the seasoned veterans, Union has grown to 74 contracted fighters as of this writing. After UGP 10 went off the air at the historic Saitama Super Arena, fighters across the globe clawed their way to UGP HQ to sign a deal.

Sam Walker in his debut fight at Boss Fight IX.

Heavyweights Tommy Ward, Calvin Webb, Lester Only, Sam Walker, Cruiserweight Scotty Gordy, Middleweights Clive Hicks and Reggie Martin, and Lightweights August Pope and Roisin O'Connell all made their Union debut recently at Boss Fight IX at the Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, California. The return to the landmark venue continued to spark a lot of attention to these young prospects, which further brought in more competition. Heavyweight Kennard Rozier, Cruiserweight Lake Reese, Middleweights Zion Momo'a and Billie Horn, and Lightweight Tilly-Jean Wade signed deals.

JB Alan announcing his decision to end his MMA career.

With all of the recent signings, one fighter has decided to call it quits. JB Alan went 0-2 in one Heavyweight bout and one Cruiserweight bout, and has since decided the MMA game isn't for him. We wish him the best in his future endeavors.

As of this writing, Lightweight fighters Xabier Belazco and Kenzi Grey have fought out their deals and are currently free agents. UGP management and both fighters have been in talks about negotiating new deals. We will keep you up-to-date with the latest developments.

"My Union GP contract was ended after the last fight, but I am very pleased to tell you it is now under renegotiation. I was going to resign in any case. As their Middleweight Champion, the promotion deserves no less." — Robert Guilliman

Our final round of news comes with the announcements of four fighters who have re-signed deals to Union Grand Prix. Union Grand Prix Lightweight Champion Hanako Takeuchi has signed a fluid "per appearance" nonexclusive deal worth $500,000 per fight. Also, Union Grand Prix Middleweight Champion Robert Guilliman has signed an exclusive 5 fight deal worth $1M per fight. Both of these Real Killas MMA fighter have struck while the iron was hot on their new deals.

"Working on that new deal with Union GP. I mean...when they see a good thing, they wanna make sure they get in on the ground level." — Aries Reed

Also of note, Aries Reed, one of the top Middleweight contenders, has signed a new exclusive 3 fight deal worth $800,000 per fight. And one of the top Cruiserweight contenders, Seth Daniels, has signed a Tier 3 deal, which is 7-9 fights worth $20,000 per fight.