After screwing up my parlay at UFC 117, Ben Saunders is released by the UFC

Ben Saunders, according to Twitter, has been released from the UFC following his loss to Dennis Hallman at UFC 117. Saunders (8-3-2 overall, 4-3 in the UFC) addressed his fans on Thursday evening:

Sorry everyone I tried to fight my best these past two fights but ended up getting out worked... the UFC has officially cut me... the good news is they told me to work on my wrestling and ground game and then come back... So that is all I am going to be doing... improving dramatically and show them I belong. It was a honor to fight for the @UFC and I will make it back into the mix in due time... no one ever said my dream of getting that belt would be easy... in fact I was denied it as even a possibility and told I was crazy since I was a kid... look how far I have gone feeding off the doubters and haters... it just makes me that much more hungry... I'll be back! There isn't a doubt in my mind. Much respect to Swick, Fitch, and Hallman as they were the better men on those nights and have my full respect. To fight such names is a true honor... now to continue my journey like a ronin searching for the battle that awaits me... it will come and I will be ready... till then I will not stop training and improving myself as a martial artist and human being. Life is nothing but a longterm learning experience... I have learned enough to consider myself a veteran... now to continue my progress and look towards what the future holds for me... staying positive in negative times has been the hardest tests I have ever faced but I have been through harder times and have fought my way through... this is no different... To Joe Silva, Dana White, Lorenzo Fertitta, and the whole staff of the UFC it was good times and I look forward to seeing you all again in the future... To all my fans I thank you all and priomise no matter where I go or who I fight I will be making the biggest and loudest noise I can letting it be known I am still here working harder than ever and will never give up...I will prove my worth and make my return to the UFC... to all the haters... thank you even more you help bring laughter and comedy to my life as well as determination to continue on and push harder than before to make a statement. I always come to fight my mentality has always been win, lose, or draw... I come to bring action and excitement...but it doesn't always work out that way...my mentality has not changed and that is because I love to fight and I love the fans...but as I improve I will continue to become more well rounded so I can fight anywhere and keep the same pace and excitement...that is my ultimate goal...to make my fights as exciting as I can, for all you guys who take the time and money to watch...but above all I will be working on my take-down defense and make them pay every time they try. Much love and respect to all. ;)

-BS

Now I could've sworn Twitter was limited to 140 characters but apparently there's this thing called "Twitlonger" which allows people to talk far beyond the limit. Doesn't this defeat the purpose of Twitter? Isn't it just blogging at that point?

Back to Saunders, I don't know what exactly to think of this release. He's coming off 2 straight losses, but they were to Jon Fitch and Dennis Hallman, who while not on the level of Fitch, isn't a slouch himself. Saunders is 27 years old, so he's entering the apex of prime as an MMA fights. He's right in that he needs to work on his wrestling, especially in the wrestling heavy UFC welterweight division. On the other hand, he did do the UFC a big favor by accepting a match with Jon Fitch on 3 days notice when Thiago Alves pulled out, you would think they would cut him a break.

No word on whether Saunders will change his "BenSaundersUFC" Twitter name.

SBN coverage of UFC 117: Silva vs. Sonnen