UFC cuts Montana De La Rosa after opponent misses weight

In the United States, on March 1, 2025, Montana De La Rosa was scheduled to fight Luana Carolina, but the fight was canceled when Carolina failed to make weight. Despite De La Rosa's previous success in the Ultimate Fighter competition and her recent split decision victory against Andrea Lee, where she ended a three-fight losing streak, she was unexpectedly removed from the UFC roster on March 20, 2025. This decision raised eyebrows, given that Carolina, who missed weight, was not cut and had a history of similar issues. De La Rosa had previously competed professionally, achieving a 6-5-1 record in the UFC, highlighting that she may have been viewed as an underperforming veteran. However, her overall experience and potential for future bouts, despite being relatively young at 30, seemed to position her as a viable option for other promotions after her UFC exit. De La Rosa's experience in the UFC and her notable record of six consecutive losses created an interesting narrative regarding possible future opportunities, along with the uncertainty surrounding Carolina's standing in the promotion amidst her weight struggles. As females in the strawweight division seek to solidify their rankings and secure title shots, the ongoing dynamics of fighter contracts, roster decisions, and weight-cutting challenges remain essential to the industry's landscape.