Todd Duffee file photo: Dave Mandel | Sherdog.com
In a surprise, the UFC cut buzzed-about heavyweight prospect Todd Duffee after he fell to one of the most improbable comebacks in UFC history against Mike Russow at UFC 114 in May.
Duffee, 24, whose seven-second knockout win in his UFC debut last August foretold big things, said the UFC cited the Russow loss as the reason for cutting him with two fights remaining on his contract. Few observers accepted that as the complete explanation, though it was unclear what other circumstances could have made a difference. Duffee has struggled with a knee injury that caused him to ask UFC officials to delay a proposed fight against Jon Madsen in October, he told MMAJunkie.com. He once petitioned on The Underground MMA Forum for a weekend job to supplement his income. Duffee made a disclosed $8,000 for the Russow loss, his only fight since his debut.
Duffee told MMAJunkie that he is considering going back to school part-time while continuing his fighting career.