The Pink Slip: Who is at Risk of Being Cut Following UFC 297?

In the wake of the seismic clashes that unfolded at UFC 297, a tale of glory and despair took shape. In a sold-out Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, spectators witnessed memorable fights, standout performances and a few forgettable moments with potential repercussions for future events. Dricus Du Plessis' triumph over Sean Strickland in the main event left the crowd in awe. Still, as the cheers echoed, an undercurrent of fate unraveled for those whose hands weren't raised: The losers of UFC 297 found themselves enmeshed in uncertainty, haunted by the looming presence of the infamous pink slip.

Defeat cast a pall over the futures of several losing fighters on Saturday. In the aftermath, here are three fighters who may be nervously awaiting the UFC's judgment on their continued employment.

Malcolm Gordon entered the Octagon in UFC 297’s opening fight only to suffer a submission loss to Jimmy Flick, thanks to a strategic blunder in a fight he had been winning. Gordon's roster spot now seemingly hangs in the balance, as a 33-year-old flyweight with five defeats in seven UFC fights. Worse yet, Gordon is on a three-fight skid, all by finish, and while previous foes Muhammad Mokaev and Jake Hadley are top-shelf prospects, Flick is a marginal flyweight who entered their fight as a slight underdog. That reflects the downward trend of Gordon’s stock, and it does not help his case that he missed weight for their fight.

Yohan Lainesse faces a similar fate after a first-round submission loss to Sam Patterson. Lainesse has experienced defeat in three out of four UFC fights since his debut, with all three losses culminating in finishes. At 31, Lainesse’s journey stands at a crossroads, with the UFC's verdict determining whether the “White Lion” will continue to roar in the Octagon or pursue his goals elsewhere.

Last but not least, Priscila Cachoeira took a double helping of humiliation at UFC 297. During fight week, her scheduled flyweight matchup with Jasmine Jasudavicius crept up first to a catchweight, then all the way to bantamweight at Cachoeira’s request. Then, on Saturday, Jasudavicius took out her frustrations on “Zombie Girl” in a complete mauling, racking up two 10-8 rounds before throttling Cachoeira late in the third. Between the lack of professionalism and the instant “Beatdown of the Year” candidate, Cachoeira, whose UFC record now stands at 4-6, may be on thin ice with the promotion.