Chance Rencountreunderstands the UFC is a business, but he can’t wrap his head around his promotional departure.
A four-fight veteran under the promotion’s banner, Rencountre (14-4 MMA, 2-2 UFC) is currently a free agent. After he fought out his deal, the UFC chose not to re-sign him. This, despite winning two of his past three fights.
“I felt like I had earned my way and put in the years,” Rencountre told MMA Junkie. “I feel like I belong. I don’t feel like any of those guys were exceptionally better. I got beat, but it happens.”
Overall, Rencountre said he’s “confused” by the decision. Initially, confusion was mixed with hurt. The 33-year-old fighter said he’s since transitioned the negative feelings into motivation.
“I’m kind of just confused,” Rencountre said. “I’m taken aback by it. I can’t give you any explanation. Maybe because I wasn’t available at a certain point in time? Hopefully, I can get back in there eventually. I can’t predict the future, especially with the epidemic going on right now. It’s chaos in the world. I’m just going to get back to training.
” If anything it motivated me. I can go a couple ways about this. At first, I was hurt. I won two fights and lost one. I broke my orbital in my last fight. Of course, I didn’t know it until after the (expletive) fight. I broke it in two places. Just to get swept under the rug, I guess? I understand it’s business. They’ve got to make money. At first I was kind of hurt about it, but now I’m like, ‘I still need to prove something.’ I’m the man to do it.”
One way or another, Rencountre plans on making the UFC walk again. He said he enjoyed his experience with the promotion, despite the confusing ending. Whether it’s rebuilding himself on the regional scene or taking a fight on short notice, Rencountre said he’s game.
“I want to be at one of the top organizations, of course,” Rencountre said. “If I have to go back and whip a couple guys on this regional scene, then I’ll do it. It is what it is. It sucks to make decent money, then go back to fighting guys for pennies when you felt like you’ve proved yourself already.
“… I’d love to get on the Oklahoma City card. There’s going to be a card here at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln. I talked about that one. They’re supposed to be back-to-back weekends. I’d take either one of those. I live an hour and a half away from there right now. That’d be dope. I’d love to get back to business.”
Chance Rencountre confused, yet motivated by UFC's decision not to re-sign him