After an unprecedented five losses in a row, the UFC had no choice but to release 145-pound slugger Leonard Garcia.

The roster move seemed like a forgone conclusion after Garcia lost a lop-sided decision to Cody McKenzie at UFC 159 late last month.

The Greg Jackson’s MMA product tweeted the news yesterday, remaining positive about the situation:

“Got let go by @ufc thanks for everything! Ill be back better then ever! @seanshelby@danawhite”

After starting his career 9-1, “Bad Boy” had not won two fights in a row since 2008.  Garcia had long been criticized for receiving “gift” decisions” from the judges, most notably in 2010 wins over Chan Sung-Jung and Nam Phan.

Garcia lost decisively when he rematched both competitors inside the Octagon and hasn’t tasted victory in nearly three-and-a-half years.

Joining him on the unemployment line is Bart Palaszewski, a 53-fight veteran who entered the UFC in 2011 on the strength of a 4-2 record inside the WEC cage, highlighted by a split decision win over current UFC featherweight contender Anthony Pettis.

While “Bartimus” embarrassed Tyson Griffin in his UFC debut in October 2011, scoring a stunning first round knockout, he then suffered three straight losses.

Like Garcia, Palaszewski confirmed the rumors that he had been let go by the UFC on Twitter: 

“I have been let go by the @ufc. I would like to thank them & @seanshelby for all the opportunities and great times. We shall see whats next.”

The UFC has had a much more aggressive cut policy in 2013, so realistically anyone who comes up short in the cage can find themselves on the receiving end of a pink slip.