After abysmal 2-7 run, UFC parts ways with longtime welterweight Paulo Thiago

Unfortunate, but not surprising.

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has said goodbye to longtime welterweight veteran Paulo Thiago, not long after awarding the Brazilian a four-fight contract extension, according to Combate (via MMA Fighting). Unfortunately, his first contest under that new deal was a loss, which marked his third straight.

And his seventh since early 2010.

Thiago (15-8), who also serves as a police officer in Brazil, put the division on notice with a stunning knockout win over Josh Koscheck way back at UFC 95, and also claimed a submission victory over "Kos" stablemate Mike Swick. That's pretty much all you can say in terms of actual career "highlights."

It just stinks, because he was a legitimately nice guy.

At age 33, he's likely to keep on trucking for regional or international promotions, or he could just continue his career in law enforcement. Either way, I don't expect any issues with employment moving forward and who knows, a couple of big wins -- or an untimely injury -- and he could be right back in the thick of things.