And Now He’s Fired, Again: Joey Beltran Released by UFC After Failed Stint at Light-Heavyweight

(We’ll say one thing for Joey: He kept it gangster. / Photo via Getty)

There are some UFC firings that are shocking or at least sort of controversial. Then there are others you can see coming a mile away. Joey “The Mexicutioner” Beltran‘s latest dismissal by the UFC certainly falls into that second category. Beltran confirmed his latest release yesterday via twitter.

Already fired once in early 2012 following a 3-4 stint at heavyweight — which ended in back-to-back losses against Stipe Miocic and Lavar Johnson — Beltran immediately shed some pounds and tried to reinvent himself as a light-heavyweight. After beating a dude named Anton Talamantes by decision last April, the UFC called Beltran back up to the big leagues two months later for an injury-replacement fight against James Te Huna. Beltran lost the fight by decision — but the match won a Fight of the Night award, and secured Beltran another shot in the Octagon. Everybody loves a gritty Mexican brawler, right?

Beltran followed up his return fight by testing positive for steroids after a unanimous decision win against Igor Pokrajac — the fight was overturned to a no-contest — and losing a split-decision to Fabio Maldonado earlier this month in an match that impressed nobody. All in all, Beltran’s run at 205 pounds resulted in a UFC record of 0-2 with one no-contest/steroid bust; he was winless in his last five Octagon appearances.

The only question that remains is this: Bellator or WSOF?