Daniel Marcos opens up on surprising UFC departure ahead of PFL Tampa debut

Daniel Marcos remains puzzled by his unexpected UFC release, despite posting a 5–1 record with the promotion before joining the PFL for his debut Saturday against Magomed Magomedov in Tampa.

The 33-year-old Peruvian bantamweight earned his release in late May, roughly six months after defeating Miles Johns in November 2024. His only UFC loss came via decision to Montel Jackson in May 2025. Yet when the promotion declined to renew his contract, Marcos said he received no clear explanation for the decision.

"I asked myself, 'Why? Why did this happen?'" Marcos told MMA Fighting. "I had only lost once in my entire career, so I didn't understand what was going on." He added that while he remains grateful to the UFC for the platform, he cannot fathom the reasoning. "Even now, if someone asks me what happened, I don't have an answer. I honestly don't know what happened."

Marcos had been training since January awaiting a new bout offer that never materialized. The wait took an emotional toll, but he said faith and perspective have steadied him. "It's hard to learn that you're no longer going to be part of a company," he acknowledged. "But after everything, I feel much calmer now because I trust God a lot, and I know that what's coming next will be very good."

The PFL moved swiftly after MMA Fighting broke the news of his departure on May 29, offering him a multi-fight deal the next day. Marcos, who stands 18–1 as a professional, said he did not want to squander the opportunity. Now in his new home, he is already eyeing gold: he named Sergio Pettis, the top bantamweight in the league, as his ultimate target. "I'm hungry to show my skills and let the world see everything I'm capable of," he said.