Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

UFC Roster Updates: British MMA Sensation, Sister Of UFC Champion Find Their Way Out Of The UFC Roster

UFC Roster undergoes change as three UFC fighters, including a champion's sister get released from the UFC!

Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Every fighter knows their time in the spotlight is fleeting, with careers often burning bright but briefly. Recent UFC roster moves have once again reminded fans how quickly fortunes can change in this unforgiving sport.

The UFC’s latest roster shuffle is a dramatic reminder of the brutal reality facing professional fighters. In a single sweep, the organization has released several notable names, including British fan-favorite Molly McCann, Ghana’s explosive striker Abdul Razak Alhassan, and Antonina Shevchenko, the lesser-known but equally talented sister of flyweight legend Valentina Shevchenko. Each of these fighters represents a unique story of struggle and the challenging journey of an MMA professional.

Abdul Razak Alhassan, Antonina Shevchenko, and Molly McCann all removed from the UFC active roster.
— Borrachinha Depot (@FullContactMTWF) March 25, 2025

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Antonina Shevchenko

At 40 years old, Antonina Shevchenko’s UFC journey has come to an end. Her path to the organization was impressive. She earned her spot through Dana White’s Contender Series with a TKO victory over Jaimee Nievera in June 2018. Unlike her more famous sister Valentina, Antonina never quite reached the same championship heights. Her UFC career was a rollercoaster of potential and disappointment, finishing with a 10-4 record (4-4 in the UFC) and two Performance of the Night bonuses.

Weight is done! 125,5 for my sister Antonina @AntoninaPantera
She is ready for her tomorrow fight in Dana White Contender Series #DWCSTN Tuesday June 26 👊🏻👊🏻👊🏻 #LasVegas #MMA #Muaythaisisters @MuaythaiSisters pic.twitter.com/ziYCoWJaSN
— Valentina Shevchenko (@BulletValentina) June 25, 2018

Shevchenko’s recent life changes likely influenced her departure. She is now a jet pilot and a new mother, suggesting a natural transition away from fighting. Her last victory came as a split decision over Cortney Casey in July 2022. She hasn’t fought since then.

Abdul Razak Alhassan

Abdul Razak Alhassan, the 39-year-old Ghanaian fighter was known for his knockout power. All but four of his 14 UFC fights ended in a finish. However, recent performances haven’t matched his earlier promise. He is currently on a three-fight losing streak, including two losses and a no-contest (this was a result of elbows to the back of the head of Cody Brundage rendering him unable to continue.)

Five years ago today,
Abdul Razak Alhassan knocked out Charlie Ward in his UFC debut

https://t.co/MwBbTsYVfr
— Alex Behunin (@AlexBehunin) November 19, 2021

His most recent appearance was a brutal knockout loss to Cesar Almeida in January, which might have been the final nail in his UFC coffin. Leaving with a 6-7 UFC record and 14-7-1 professional MMA record, Alhassan embodied the high-risk, high-reward style that makes combat sports so thrilling.

Molly McCann

Molly McCann’s UFC journey came to an emotional end at UFC London, a city that had become her fighting home. Her retirement announcement in the Octagon after a submission loss to Alexia Thainara marked the conclusion of a passionate MMA career. McCann was a symbol of British combat sports determination and crowd-pleasing excitement.

Her UFC highlights were nothing short of spectacular. McCann became famous for her back-to-back knockout wins using spinning back elbows in 2022, a sequence that earned her massive fan appreciation. Those performances netted her three consecutive bonuses, cementing her status as a fan-favorite fighter. However, her career wasn’t without challenges. Four of her seven UFC losses came by submission, a persistent technical weakness that ultimately contributed to her decision to retire.

Walking away with a 14-8 professional record, McCann embodied the spirit of fighters who compete not just for championships, but for the love of the sport. Her retirement marks the end of an era for British MMA fans who followed her journey from local circuits to the global UFC stage!

This addition completes the narrative of the UFC’s recent roster changes, highlighting the personal stories behind the administrative decisions. Each fighter: Shevchenko, Alhassan, and McCann brought a unique story to the Octagon while they were in the UFC.

(Image Credit: Ron Chenoy – Imagn Images)

Abdul Razak Alhassan

Antonina Shevchenko

Molly McCann

UFC Roster

Zaid Quraishi

mma

I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!