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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.
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