Dennis Buzukja Announces UFC Break: “I’m Stepping Back From the UFC for the Time Being”

Dennis Buzukja is stepping away from the UFC for the time being as the featherweight looks to reset his career and return to competition as a different fighter. Buzukja announced the decision on his Instagram, explaining that he believes stepping away from the UFC is the right move after a difficult stretch that has included short-notice opportunities, controversial circumstances and several losses inside the Octagon.

“I'm stepping back from the UFC for the time being,” Buzukja wrote. “This is a great opportunity to step off the big stage and have a career reset.”

Dennis Buzujka Won't Retire for Now

The 28-year-old also made it clear that he does not view the decision as retirement. Instead, Buzukja described the move as an opportunity to reinvent himself before eventually returning to the UFC.

“I’m excited to reinvent myself and come back a new fighter and person,” he wrote.

Buzukja's decision comes after a challenging 2026 campaign. The Staten Island native competed twice this year. He was stopped by Márcio Barbosa via first-round knockout at UFC Winnipeg in April before returning against Bogdan Grad at UFC Belgrade on Aug. 1. Grad defeated Buzukja by arm-triangle choke at 4:33 of the second round.

The defeat to Grad was particularly controversial. During the submission sequence, referee Jason Herzog stopped the fight after interpreting Buzukja's movement as a tap. Buzukja immediately disputed the stoppage, arguing that he had not submitted. The decision remained official, leaving him with another difficult result during a turbulent period of his UFC career.

Buzujka Faced Challenging Stretch Before Pausing Career

Buzukja had already been fighting with his back against the wall before the Grad matchup. UFC's own preview for the Belgrade card noted that he was 1-4 in his first five UFC appearances after earning his place in the promotion through Dana White's Contender Series.

His UFC run began in August 2023 against Sean Woodson. Buzukja lost that fight by unanimous decision before picking up his first UFC victory against Connor Matthews in March 2024. He subsequently lost to Jamall Emmers and Francis Marshall before the defeats against Barbosa and Grad.

Despite the difficult stretch, Buzukja's message was not one of bitterness.

He acknowledged that he had experienced “some unfortunate circumstances with many short notice fights and bad stoppages,” while adding, “but that’s life sometimes.” More importantly, he said he remains healthy and optimistic about what comes next.

“Business is good, life is good, I’m happy and healthy,” Buzukja wrote. The fighter also expressed gratitude toward the UFC, emphasizing that he still appreciates the opportunities the promotion has given him.

“I love the UFC and the opportunities they gave me thus far and the rest that are to come,” he wrote.

Buzujka's Hiatus a Time to Focus, Reset

That final part is significant because Buzukja does not appear to be closing the door on the promotion. Instead, he appears intent on using his time away to rebuild before attempting another run at the highest level.

Buzukja has 12 professional victories, including five by knockout and one by submission, according to his UFC profile. For now, though, the UFC Octagon can wait. Buzukja wants time to reset, reassess and return with a different version of himself.

“I will be back in soon with some experience,” he promised.

Whether that comeback ultimately takes place inside the UFC remains to be seen, but Buzukja has made his position clear: this is a reset, not a goodbye.