Report: UFC unlikely to renew Kongo’s deal

Cheick Kongo has gone unbeaten in Bellator after leaving the UFC in 2013.

Cheick Kongo’s time with the UFC appears to be at an end.

The 18-fight veteran of the Octagon saw his contract expire Saturday, ending with a definitive first-round loss by knockout to Roy Nelson at UFC 159. Despite being 3-2 in his last two years with the promotion, MMAjunkie.com reported UFC officials said they likely will not renew his deal. His fighter profile on UFC.com was also absent on Wednesday afternoon.

Kongo was with the promotion for nearly seven years and had a record of 11-6-1 with six knockouts. However, he was knocked out in two of his past three appearances and nearly stopped by Pat Barry in June 2011 before rebounding to earn a KO in one of the most stunning comebacks in the UFC.

The 37-year-old French fighter tended to struggle against the top-ranked fighters, losing to Mark Hunt, Frank Mir and Cain Velasquez (well before he was champ).

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