Horodecki Released by Zuffa

Chris Horodecki | Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com

Horodecki had hoped to make the transition to the UFC as the two promotions merged, but “The Polish Hammer” will now have to wait to make his Octagon debut. MMAJunkie.com first reported Horodecki’s release on Tuesday morning; Sherdog.com confirmed the news with the fighter shortly thereafter.

“I got the call yesterday,” Horodecki told Sherdog.com. “It is what it is.”

Fighting at a distinct reach disadvantage, Horodecki went toe-to-toe with two-time title challenger Donald Cerrone at WEC 53 on Dec. 16. After some fairly equal standup exchanges in the early going, the fight hit the floor. From there, the lanky “Cowboy” locked up a triangle choke against the fence. Though Horodecki briefly withstood the submission, Cerrone would adjust the choke and forced the 23-year-old to tap out at 2:43 of the second round.

Horodecki made his MMA debut in 2005 at just 18 years old. He went on to win his first 12 contests, including a seven-fight streak in the International Fight League, before running into Ryan Schultz in the finals of the promotion’s lightweight grand prix.

Horodecki made his WEC debut against Anthony Njokuani in December 2009. Njokuani caught Horodecki with a devastating head kick in the first round and finished him with punches. Horodecki rebounded with victories over Daniel Downes and Ed Ratcliff in 2010 before facing Cerrone at the WEC’s final show.