UFC releases Antonio Carlos Junior, two others from roster

The UFC has cut Antonio Carlos Junior and two others.

The “Ultimate Fighter: Brasil 3” winner known to many MMA fans as “Cara de Sapato,” or “Shoeface,” Junior (10-5 MMA, 7-5 UFC) has been released from the promotion, his manager, Dominance MMA head Ali Abdelaziz, told MMA Junkie’s John Morgan on Thursday.

Junior’s departure comes less than two weeks after a unanimous decision loss to Brad Tavares at UFC 257. The defeat was Junior’s third in a row, joining back-to-back decision losses to Uriah Hall and Ian Heinisch.

Junior, 30, made his promotional debut in 2014 when he won “TUF: Brasil 3’s” heavyweight tournament by defeating Vitor Miranda in the final.

After a one-fight stop at light heavyweight (a loss to Patrick Cummins), Junior dropped to middleweight in 2015. Over the span of the following eight fights at 185 pounds, Junior went 6-1 with one no contest.

He picked up victories over Marvin Vettori and Tim Boetsch among others. A high-level black belt, Junior picked up five submission victories during his UFC tenure – all by rear-naked choke.