Heavyweight Rolles Gracie released from UFC following debut loss

[Pumphrey94]

Following a week that saw the release of Mark Coleman, Tim Hague, Phillipe Nover and Frank Trigg, UFC officials have added heavyweight Rolles Gracie (3-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC) to the list of post-UFC 109 roster cuts.

The move was first reported by The Wrestling Observer and has subsequently been confirmed by multiple outlets.

Gracie was defeated by fellow UFC newcomer Joey Beltran on the preliminary card of this past weekend's "UFC 109: Relentless" event in Las Vegas.

Gracie was originally expected to face Mostapha Al Turk at UFC 109, but Beltran stepped in less than one week prior to the card when the Brit was unable to make the event following reports of visa issues.

A 31-year-old heavyweight with an extensive grappling background, Gracie has been the subject of much scorn since the event after gassing early in the fight and showing awkward striking skills en route to being finished via second-round TKO.

Following the loss, UFC president Dana White told a small group of reporters at the evening's post-event press conference that Gracie obviously needed some further work on his game.

"To be honest, his standup needs some work," White said. "But usually what you expect from jiu-jitsu guys, they come in with great jiu-jitsu, and they need work on their standup."

Gracie will now have a chance to work on this skills outside of the UFC.

Rolles was just the second member of the famed Gracie clan to ever set foot in the octagon.

Royce Gracie earned an 11-2-1 mark in the promotion and competed in the first five editions of the UFC. Renzo Gracie is slated to make his debut for the organization at UFC 112 in Abu Dhabi in April.

[Big Hairy Jock]

godd he was fuckin shite