(A week later, that thing hatched and about 30 baby spiders came pouring out. True story.)

When it comes to getting fired by the UFC, three is a magic number — as in, that’s usually the number of consecutive losses you’re allowed before they tell you to hit the bricks. Case in point, welterweight contender John “Doomsday” Howard, who was just released from his contract after seven fights in the promotion.

Howard began his UFC campaign in promising fashion, picking up split-decision wins over Chris Wilson and Tamdan McCrory, followed by knockouts of Dennis Hallman and Daniel Roberts. Then, shit fell apart. Howard got dominated by Jake Ellenberger en route to a doctor’s stoppage TKO (due to the gnarly swelling of his left eye), then caught decision losses against Thiago Alves and Matt Brown. The loss to Brown was unforgivable, considering Brown was on a three-fight skid himself.

Doomsday released a video confirming the news, saying, “Yeah, the rumors is true, I got released today. They finally announced it…It is what it is, man, you get three straight losses in the UFC, and this is what happens. You get kicked out of the UFC. I’m not too mad about it. It’s whatever man. I tried my best. My last fight with Matt Brown, I didn’t think I lost, but when it goes to the judges, that’s what happens. My plans right now is either go to Bellator, or DREAM, or something else, whoever makes me the best offer, I’m gonna go there and make some money.”

Another new victim of the curse-of-three is TUF 9 finalist Andre Winner. After losing a decision to Ross Pearson at the TUF 9 Finale back in June 2009, the British lightweight rebounded with a crushing knockout of Rolando Delgado and a decision win over Rafaello Oliveira. Then, he got wall-n-stalled by Nik Lentz, choked out by Dennis Siver, and (most recently at UFC 132) dominated by Anthony Njokuani. As a result, he’ll also be taking an involuntary sabbatical from the Octagon.