Undefeated UFC flyweight Muhammad Mokaev has detailed his anger at the UFC’s recent announcement that flyweight champion, Alexandre Pantoja, will take on Steve Erceg at UFC 301.
The 23-year-old has been on a rapid ascent of the 125lb division, picking up six wins since his UFC debut just two years ago. In those six victories, he has picked up finishes over the likes of Cody Durden, Tim Elliott, and the recently impressive, Jafel Filho.
Earlier this month he picked up the biggest win of his career thus far, beating former title contender Alex Perez. Despite picking up the win, Mokaev wasn’t entirely content as he wasn’t able to secure the finish.
Muhammad Mokaev explains why he didn’t get the title shot
After the fight, Muhammad Mokaev admitted that on the morning of the event, he didn’t feel well and was sick before his fight.
In an interview with talkSPORT, Mokaev explained that prior to the fight, he was told by the UFC that if he scored an impressive finish, he would be given the next title shot, but because he didn’t get a ‘highlight’, he has been looked past.
“They told me before the (Perez) fight, if you finish Alex Perez you’re fighting for the belt. I didn’t finish Alex Perez because I didn’t feel well on the morning of the fight, I know casual fans don’t care how you feel they will say it’s an excuse, but it’s not just be 95% of fighters don’t have a great training camp.
“I didn’t knock him out or submit him or do something spectacular, the UFC (wants) more highlights instead of sport anymore, they want more drama.” Mokaev added.
Mokaev provides his opinion on Steve Erceg getting the title shot
The UFC opted against giving Mokaev the title shot for now, and instead called upon the services of number 10-ranked flyweight, Steve Erceg, to challenge Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 301.
The Australian fought Matt Schnell on the same event that Mokaev beat Perez, but fortunately for Erceg, he beat Schnell in emphatic fashion. The 28-year-old knocked out ‘Danger’ Schnell with a brutal left hook in the second round.
Muhammad Mokaev has questioned this decision because Erceg only has three fights so far during his one-year UFC tenure. Despite that, the 23-year-old is not letting this get in his way and is determined to use it as motivation.
“They gave the opportunity to rank number 10, Steve Erceg, who has only three fights in the UFC, I have more finishes in the UFC than he has fights, I don’t know why they did this. What me and my team decided is I’m fighting everyone in this division, they can delay but they cannot deny my destiny.
“I was angry for the first six or seven hours asking my team on the group chat what these guys (UFC) have done and they’re like you’re time will come. But I believe I can beat this guy (Pantoja) I believe I have everything. I’m angry but so many things have happened in my life after hardship it becomes easy. Sometimes you just have to relax calm down, and it’ll come.” Mokaev added.
Muhammad Mokaev’s next fight
Although nothing has been officially confirmed, Mokaev has made it clear that he desires a fight against Brandon Royval at the rumored UFC Manchester event in July.
Royval fought at UFC Mexico at the end of February, beating former champion Brandon Moreno. With the win, ‘Rawdawg’ believed he may have earned a rematch with the champion Pantoja, but because they’ve already fought twice with Royval losing on both occasions, the UFC opted against him.