Dennis Hallman released after missing weight, UFC still pays him show money and win bonus

On the UFC on FX 5 weigh in broadcast on FUELl TV, news broke that Dennis Hallman missed weight by seven pounds and that his scheduled fight with Thiago Tavares had been canceled. A "cordial" meeting with Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) officials shortly thereafter provided an interesting twist and a bit of mystery.

Now, it appears that Hallman has in fact been cut from the promotion after missing weight. However, in a generous gesture, the UFC has paid him both his show money and win bonus to help with whatever "personal" issue he is currently facing that caused him to show up in Minneapolis, Minn., unprepared.

He spoke to MMA Fighting on the matter:

"They are cutting me. Dana [White] gave me my show and win pay to help me deal with the mountain in front of me. Now I have to go make weight a couple times on the regional circuit. I'll be back to the UFC though, I always am. I'm having some personal issues at home. I'm not fit to fight. I told Dana [White] what my issues were. He understands family matters, and he was cool with me not fighting."

Certainly a bit odd, but it is nice to see Zuffa brass handle this so generously. Hallman may not have been an exemplary employee, and giving him his show money and win bonus shows a lot of sympathy from Zuffa's end. Cutting him isn't necessarily a kind thing to do, but it is probably for the best, maintaining its precedent of (usually) cutting those who repeatedly miss weight.

Hallman's skillset is still quite good, and it is unlikely that he comes across too much trouble on the regional circuit. Whatever personal issue he is facing right now seems pretty heavy, but this may not be the last time we see Hallman in the Octagon.