Despite thriving on Season 27 of “The Ultimate Fighter” and reaching the series’ lightweight tournament final, Joe Giannetti will not get the chance to make a UFC career – at least not yet, anyway.

Giannetti (6-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC) announced on Saturday that he was notified of his UFC release. The news comes six weeks after he lost a split decision to Mike Trizano in the lightweight final at The Ultimate Fighter 27 Finale in Las Vegas (via Instagram):

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENT: @seanshelby @danawhite & the @ufc has decided to let me go. I don’t blame them, I didn’t fight like I wanted too or carry myself as I should… There’s nothin to it but to do it so I want a crack at the @cagetitans Lightweight Champion Dan Dubuque on November 3rd. He’s 6-2, and beat a teammate of mine #DEFENDORVACATE #Skeletor #comebackseason #snatchinnecksandcashinchecks #ufc #ufc230

At just 23 and with two impressive performances to get through the tournament, Giannetti came off like the type of talent who could make a home inside the octagon for the foreseeable future.

Although he only lost by a minor margin on the scorecards, Giannetti’s performance against Trizano did not match up with work on the reality series. Apparently, that cost him.

Giannetti is wasting no time getting back to work, though. Alongside his UFC release announcement, Giannetti confirmed that his next fight will take place Nov. 3. He meets Dan Dubuque for the Cage Titan FC lightweight title. The Massachusetts-based organization is where Giannetti has competed in all his pro bouts outside the lone official UFC appearance.

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