The departure of the 29-year-old fighter comes despite an unblemished professional record that includes an extraordinary streak of 16 consecutive victories. Seven of those wins came under the prestigious Ultimate Fighting Championship banner, where Basharat had systematically dismantled a series of tough opponents to establish himself as a legitimate contender to watch in the highly competitive bantamweight division.
Basharat’s journey to the premier organization of mixed martial arts began in earnest in September 2022, when he competed on Dana White’s Contender Series. With a dominant and disciplined performance in front of UFC CEO Dana White, the Afghan fighter secured a coveted promotional contract, instantly elevating his status on the global stage and bringing immense pride to combat sports fans in his home country and across the international martial arts community.
Upon entering the UFC, Basharat wasted little time proving that he belonged among the elite athletes of the bantamweight division. However, his path through the promotion was characterized primarily by his technical prowess, tactical intelligence, and ability to outpoint seasoned opponents over the course of three rounds. Out of his seven appearances inside the octagon under the UFC banner, an overwhelming six victories were secured by way of the judges’ scorecards. While his grappling pedigree, crisp striking, and relentless pressure allowed him to consistently neutralize his opposition and accumulate impressive wins, the promotion’s matchmakers and executives often place a high premium on dramatic finishes, stoppages, and high-octane knockouts when considering long-term roster retention and lucrative contract renewals.
Following his most recent victory in July, which extended his remarkable professional winning streak to 16 fights without a single defeat or blemish on his record, Basharat entered a period of waiting regarding his professional future. To the shock of many analysts, fans, and observers who closely follow the nuances of the UFC roster, the promotion ultimately chose not to offer the undefeated bantamweight a new contract once his previous deal concluded, leading to his unexpected release from the organization.
The sudden parting of ways between Farid Basharat and the UFC also highlights a broader, intriguing storyline involving his immediate family and their shared athletic journey at the highest levels of professional combat sports. Javid Basharat, Farid’s older brother and a fellow accomplished bantamweight competitor, was also released from the UFC earlier this year. Following his departure from the market-leading promotion, Javid quickly found a new home in the upper echelons of the sport, subsequently signing with the Professional Fighters League, commonly known as the PFL.
With both brothers now finding themselves outside of the UFC ecosystem despite maintaining elite skill sets and formidable competitive records, the broader mixed martial arts landscape is left to watch where Farid will ultimately choose to continue his fighting career. Given his undefeated status, youth, and proven ability to compete against top-tier talent inside the sport’s most famous cage, major rival promotions such as the PFL, Bellator, or Asian powerhouse ONE Championship will likely express keen interest in securing the services of the talented Afghan bantamweight as he enters the next chapter of his professional journey.
