Justin Willis disputes being released from UFC contract, vows August return

“Big Pretty” has big plans, but it doesn’t appear they align with the UFC.

Justin Willis, 31, told MMA Junkie on Friday that the promotion has not released him, despite a UFC official confirming the opposite following multiple reports. Willis pointed to his 4-1 octagon record and said it “doesn’t make sense” that he’d be released.

“It was a big miscommunication and a technical difficulty between me and the UFC,” Willis said. “I’ll put it like that. But everything has been worked out, and you will have a fight in the near future.”

Citing a source close to the promotion, TSN reported Willis was released after he turned down a fight against Walt Harris at UFC on ESPN 4. A UFC official declined to elaborate on the circumstances that led to the decision.

Willis wouldn’t go into specifics about his negotiations with the UFC but admits Harris isn’t a fight that he wants. He said his primary goal is to have a full training camp at American Kickboxing Academy alongside team captain and UFC heavyweight champ Daniel Cormier, who returns at UFC 241 in August.

“If it was August, or he had a bigger name … just because you want something doesn’t mean you’re going to get it,” Willis said. “I’m after people with bigger names.”

Willis’ manager, Abe Kawa, didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Harris recently called Willis “a coward” and “all talk, no game” on the MMA Roasted podcast, claiming his would-be opponent was cut because he couldn’t make weight in two months. Willis was forced to withdraw from UFC 208 due to complications from a steep weight cut.

“Walt Harris is jumping on the train,” Willis said. “Bro, you suck. Stop it.”

The comments were just more noise from a chorus of critics that include his most recent opponent, Curtis Blaydes, and rival Tai Tuivasa. Willis said he’s focused on losing weight and evolving in the gym so he can make a run at the title.

Returning too early, without a full training camp or without the guidance of one of the sport’s best fighters, isn’t in Willis’ best interest right now. He said he’s currently 265 pounds and plans to be 255 for his next fight.

“My goal is to be quicker, faster and prettier,” Willis said. “When I come back, I’m coming back with a vengeance. Picasso didn’t rush his art, and I’m not going to let these (expletive) boys rush ‘Big Pretty’s’ art. And (Harris, Tuivasa and Blaydes) can kiss my black ass.”

For more on the UFC’s upcoming schedule, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.