Fabio Maldonado among eight fighters released from the UFC

Jason Silva-USA TODAY SportsThe UFC has cut eight fighters from its roster, including light heavyweight veteran Fabio Maldonado.

A source close to the promotion told MMAFighting.com that the UFC has released Maldonado, Chico Camus, Kevin Souza, Ericka Almeida, Bubba Bush, Mickael Lebout, Vernon Ramos and Jumabieke Tuerxun from their contracts.

Maldonado (22-9) entered the UFC in 2010 with a win over James McSweeney. He then lost three straight, but survived in the promotion for his fighting style, and never backing out from a challenge.

Maldonado’s best run in the UFC happened in 2013-14, going 4-1 with his only loss being a short-notice bout versus heavyweight Stipe Miocic. In his last two…