Released despite 5-1 UFC record, Daniel Marcos targets PFL title after baffling exit

Daniel Marcos still has no answer for why the UFC released him this past May despite a 5-1 promotional record and a submission victory in his most recent bout in November — and the Peruvian fighter says the decision left him genuinely confused.

Marcos (18-1), nicknamed “Soncora”, went 5-1 inside the UFC with his sole career defeat coming against Montel Jackson. The timing of his release, months after a winning performance, caught him off guard and he says he has received no clear explanation from the promotion.

“More than anything, I was surprised,” Marcos told MMA Fighting. “I asked myself, ‘Why? Why did this happen?’ I had only lost once in my entire career, so I didn’t understand what was going on. I can’t control what other people decide to do. But I’m still grateful to the UFC for giving me the opportunity and for helping showcase me to the world.”

Marcos wasted little time finding a new home. He signed a multi-fight deal with the Professional Fighters League in June and is set to make his PFL debut against Magomed Magomedov (22-5) on Aug. 22 at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida.

With that first fight still ahead of him, Marcos is already looking further up the card. PFL bantamweight champion Sergio Pettis is the target he has fixed his ambitions on.

“The way I think is to look at the No. 1 guy, and that’s Pettis,” Marcos said. “Pettis is at the top. I want to have that belt around my waist as soon as possible, whenever the opportunity comes. I have signed a multi-fight deal with the PFL, and now I’m just waiting for the chance to step into that cage. I’m very hungry.”

The Aug. 22 Tampa card also serves as the final MMA bout for Cris Cyborg, giving Marcos a high-profile stage for his PFL introduction.