UFC
Jairzinho Rozenstruik Released from UFC Following Loss at UFC Fight Night 250

In a surprising turn of events, heavyweight contender Jairzinho Rozenstruik has been released from the UFC, marking the end of his tenure with the promotion. The news broke on Tuesday, when a UFC official confirmed the move, following speculation sparked by the UFC Roster Tracker account. This decision comes just days after Rozenstruik’s one-sided loss to Sergei Pavlovich at UFC Fight Night 250, a performance that drew criticism from UFC CEO Dana White.
Dana White:
“The fight between Sergei Pavlovich and Jairzinho Rozenstruik was horrible. It is what it is.”
— Supreme Fitness (@Am091189678) February 2, 2025
Rozenstruik, known as “Bigi Boy,” leaves behind a legacy as the first fighter from Suriname to compete in the UFC. Over his six-year stint with the promotion, he faced some of the division’s most formidable opponents and headlined multiple events. However, his recent struggles in the octagon and an underwhelming performance against Pavlovich appear to have sealed his fate.
A Rollercoaster UFC Career
Jairzinho Rozenstruik (15-6 MMA, 9-6 UFC) joined the UFC in February 2019 and quickly made an impact with his striking prowess. The Surinamese heavyweight earned a reputation for explosive knockouts, including victories over former champions Junior Dos Santos and Andrei Arlovski. Perhaps his most memorable moment came in December 2019 when he secured a last-second KO win over Alistair Overeem after being down on the scorecards.
Just over 5 years ago Jairzinho Rozenstruik really punched Overeem’s top lip off with just 4 seconds left on the clock 😬
Pavlovich Vs Bigi Boy is gonna be one hell of a banger at #UFCSaudiArabia 👀👊
pic.twitter.com/AbwJ0wvHn3— RedWolf🐺 (@RedWolfMMA) January 29, 2025
During his UFC career, Rozenstruik headlined six Fight Night events and solidified himself as a top-10 contender in the heavyweight division. Despite his success, consistency proved elusive. While he won two of his last three fights and three of his last five, he struggled against elite competition such as Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane.
The fight against Sergei Pavlovich at UFC Fight Night 250 was a pivotal moment. Pavlovich dominated from start to finish in what many described as a lackluster performance from Rozenstruik. Dana White’s post-fight criticism hinted at dissatisfaction with Rozenstruik’s trajectory, and it seems that performance played a significant role in the UFC’s decision to part ways with him.
What’s Next for “Bigi Boy”?
At 36 years old, Rozenstruik still has plenty left in the tank if he chooses to continue his MMA career outside the UFC. Promotions such as PFL, GFL, or ONE Championship could be potential destinations for the heavy-handed striker. His knockout power and name recognition would make him an attractive signing for any organization looking to bolster its heavyweight roster.
As of now, Rozenstruik has not issued a public statement regarding his release or his plans for the future. Fans will undoubtedly be eager to hear from him about what lies ahead.
While this marks the end of an era for Rozenstruik in the UFC, it’s far from the end of his story in mixed martial arts. For now, both fans and analysts will watch closely to see where “Bigi Boy” lands next—and whether he can reignite his career on a new stage.