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No. 8-ranked UFC lightweight Gregor Gillespie’s fighting future was questioned after a pair of tweets were published this weekend.
TSN’s Aaron Bronsteter took to Twitter to report that “The Gift” is no longer a choosable fighter on the UFC fan rankings page. “Gregor Gillespie has been removed from the UFC fan rankings pool,” Bronsteter tweeted.
And around the same time on Sunday, UFC Roster Watch, an AI that is in charge of “tracking the UFC active roster,” also tweeted that Gillespie had been “removed.”
At this time of this writing, there has been no word from Gillespie about his possible UFC split or fighting future. It could be that The Gift is still under contract with the UFC, however due to his inactivity, the promotion has put him on ice until he’s ready to come back.
Update at 5:55 p.m. ET: Gillespie confirmed that he is, in fact, still a part of the UFC. However, he’s been removed from the rankings due to his inactivity. He tweeted: “I am removed from the RANKINGS.. Not from the organization. (Fighters are removed after 12 months of inactivity). I am NOT GOING ANYWHERE! The UFC has always been great to me! 100% class! It is not their fault that I don’t have a fight. They Have offered me plenty of fights.”
The Gift went on to tweet: “I have accepted all and any that were ranked ahead of me (outside of short notice), and conversely I have obviously turned down anyone ranked behind me.”
He wrote that he’s on a “mission” to fight combatants ranked above him as he wants to close in on a UFC title shot.
“I am on a mission to fight the top guys with the lowest number next to their name to get close to the Belt. Fighting guys ranked behind me isn’t the way to do it, but i also understand sitting for a while isn’t either.”
Gillespie then called out former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos and No. 5-ranked lightweight Michael Chandler.
“PS.. RDA, chandler, offer f****** stands,” he tweeted. “RDA was cool fighting me on 4 days notice (when i was on the top of a mountain 7 hrs away), but turns me down on a full camp.”
The Gift is an interesting case. He has a stellar professional mixed martial arts record of 14-1 and he holds wins over notable names like Diego Ferreira, Vinc Pichel and Yancy Medeiros.
But, he’s only fought once since his first and only loss. Kevin Lee crushed Gillespie with a head kick during UFC 244 in November 2019. He returned to action in May 2021 at UFC on ESPN 24 and earned an impressive second-round TKO victory over Ferreira.
Fast forward over a year and Gillespie hasn’t entered the Octagon since. Fight fans commented on Bronsteter and UFC Roster Watch’s tweets. “Cut or removed due to inactivity, wouldn’t be surprised to see him be cut he declines almost every fight he’s offered,” one person tweeted.
“Dude was trying to take the Islam [Makhachev] route to the title, by taking ONE top 10 fight then demanding a title fight,” another user wrote.
Gillespie Challenged Conor McGregor After His Latest Win
The Gift has challenged big-name fighters, specifically Conor McGregor and Tony Ferguson. A few days after the Ferreira win, Gillespie, who calls himself the best fisherman in the sport, tweeted a photo of himself holding a fish while wearing a suit and standing on a boat.
“[Conor McGregor] We can figure out who the best fighter is, we can figure out who the best fisherman is, but it’s pretty clear who the best dressed is,” Gillespie tweeted.
Gillespie Claimed Ferguson Turned Down a Fight With Him Earlier This Year
Gillespie posted a video on Instagram in January claiming that Ferguson had turned down a fight with him.
“Just got word again from my manager that Tony Ferguson will not accept the fight against me,” Gillespie said via MMA Fighting. “Then I see you online, Tony, calling out f****** Michael Chandler, saying it’s wrestling season, bro! Dude, you understand, I’m the wrestler, bro.
“I beat the s*** out of Mike Chandler in college, and I will f*** you up in wrestling, too. If you’re looking for the wrestler, bro, accept the fight dude.”
Gillespie continued his rant, indicating his desire to continue to move up the lightweight ladder. However, The Gift said that he was having a difficult time finding a fight.
“I need to start climbing and none of you guys seem to want to f****** fight me,” Gillespie said. “Tony, me and you are f****** available. We’ve been available since the same f****** weekend apart. I fought last and then you fought the weekend after. It’s time, bro. Let’s just f****** do it.
“Call f****** Chandler out cause it’s wrestling season. Get the f*** out of here, bro. I’m the wrestler.”
Ferguson’s next fight was against Chandler and the ending was rough for “El Cucuy.” He was knocked out cold at the start of the second round courtesy of Chandler’s head kick. They fought earlier this month at UFC 274 in Pheonix, Arizona.
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