Report: Jorge Santiago Cut From The UFC

Jorge Santiago's second run inside the Octagon may have reached its conclusion. According to reports from Tatame, the former Senkogu middleweight champion has been released from the UFC following back-to-back losses to Brian Stann and Demian Maia. Promotion officials have yet to comment on the subject, however his fighter page was removed from UFC.com over the weekend.

Following a brief 1-2 stint under the Zuffa banner in 2006, Santiago (23-10) reentered the fold with high expectations after ripping through eleven of twelve opponents on route to becoming the inaugural Senkogu middleweight belt holder. The 31-year-old signed a multi-fight contract with the UFC in February and was promptly given the division's toughest rising prospect, Stann.

Santiago would go on to loss against the former Marine, falling victim to a second-round knockout after an exhilarating back-and-forth duel that earned "Fight of the Night" bonuses for both men. "The Sandman" was subsequently defeated by Maia five months later at UFC 136 -- in a relatively listless performance by comparison -- garnering UFC walking papers for the second time of his career.