Longtime site coordinator Burt Watson confirms exit from UFC

Burt Watson

One of the UFC’s most recognizable names (and bellowing voices) has confirmed his exit from the promotion.

Longtime site coordinator Burt Watson, whose iconic “We rollllllin’!” yell would echo backstage on event nights and during weigh-in festivities, today confirmed he’s left the promotion after a 14-year run (via Twitter).

Watson, who had won the respect and admiration of many UFC fighters, didn’t give a reason for his departure.

However, his exit had been rumored for the past few days following an alleged incident this past weekend at UFC 184. An initial report came from Twitter user @FrontRowBrian. Then, on Monday’s edition of MMAjunkie Radio, John Morgan, MMAjunkie’s lead staff reporter and an on-site reporter at UFC 184 in Los Angeles, confirmed a backstage confrontation between Watson and a fellow UFC employee over a fighter’s weight cut. However, at the time, it wasn’t clear if Watson’s exit was official.

However, Watson, who keeps tabs on fighters throughout fight week and was famously dubbed “babysitter to the stars” by UFC commentator Joe Rogan, today put the speculation to rest. Neither Watson nor UFC officials, though, have publicly discussed the reason for his departure.

However, as the news began to circulate, many fighters weighed in:

Watson has been a frequent guest on MMAjunkie Radio during fight weeks in Las Vegas. He recently discusses a scary incident at UFC 180 in Mexico City that left him a concussion, though he was back on the job at the UFC’s following event.

Earlier this year, he won a lifetime achievement award at the 2014 World MMA Awards.

For more on UFC 184, check out the UFC Events section of the site.