As the fallout from Muhammad Mokaev’s controversial exit from the UFC continues, the ‘Punisher’ is now pleading with Dana White to reconsider as he faces some tough decisions.
It’s been a rollercoaster few weeks for undefeated flyweight hopeful Muhammad Mokaev; who went from a title eliminator on the main card of UFC 304, to the prelims, then to the early prelims, and finally, to the free agency market.
Muhammad Mokaev asked the UFC if he could ‘fight for free’ to get re-signed
Following his unanimous decision win over Manel Kape in Manchester, Dana White announced that the UFC would not be renewing Mokaev’s contract due to various issues behind the scenes.
Speaking to Farah Hannoun via the MMA Junkie YouTube channel, Mokaev revealed his disbelief at being so unceremoniously cut from the roster, especially considering that he’d only just extended his UFC winning streak to seven.
“I was surprised to be honest. I [would] understand if Manel Kape had defeated me, I wouldn’t be as surprised to go out from a defeat like Askar Askarov; he lost to Kai Kara-France and got cut, but I’ve never seen someone undefeated go so early.”
Askarov did part ways with the UFC in 2022 after suffering just one loss to the New Zealander – however, the Russian himself announced that he’d requested to be released from his contract over ongoing health issues, not his out-of-octagon behavior as reported with Mokaev.
Yet the undefeated ‘Punisher’ is still hopeful that Dana White and fellow UFC matchmakers will reverse their decision to not re-sign him to the promotion – even going as far as to ask Hunter Campbell if he could fight without pay.
“I said to Hunter Campbell, whatever I’ve done at the hotel, I’m ready to pay for that and fight my next fight in the UFC for free.
“Whatever trouble I am in, I think it’s unprofessional, but it’s something that was in my heart for a long time – I have to get rid of it… I think I’ve taken a big lesson here; you know.
“I want to come back to UFC and hopefully I will be back,” vowed Mokaev, noting that he had done the promotion a major favor earlier this year when he fought Alex Perez only a few days after being allegedly ‘attacked’ by Kape at the UFC Performance Institute.
“He headbutted me at the PI five days before my fight with Perez, I had a big cut and I still fought. I never pulled out, never missed weight, I still turn up and show up every single fight, but I think whatever happened, it’s already happened now – I just want to stay focused on my future plans.”
Muhammad Mokaev fires back at claims he was window-shopping PFL deal
In the hours after his axing was announced by Dana White, speculation began on whether Muhammad Mokaev could find a new path to world championship glory in the PFL.
This, before rumors circulated that Mokaev had been window-shopping a deal with the rival promotion – a controversial move that the 24-year-old vehemently denies.
“I think between Dana there’s been a misunderstanding, I don’t know where he got this PFL talks some… I think someone does something behind my back, it’s not going to come out of nowhere with PFL maybe because it’s a competition.
“I don’t even see competition between the PFL and UFC, the UFC is the best organization in the world, and I never spoke to the PFL… They don’t even have a flyweight [division], so I don’t understand. Even at the post-fight interview, I asked for a new contract because I want to fight the best in the world.”
Mokaev would also take aim at PFL President Ray Sefo, who stated earlier in the week that he’d heard through the MMA grapevine that the flyweight is “a pain in the a** to deal with,” as well as veteran manager Ali Abdelaziz.
“He’s from Xtreme Couture gym, he’s exactly the same as Manel Kape and he’s very close with Ali Abdelaziz, who tried to make some holes in my road to victory, I beat two of his guys – I feel like he’s done something behind my back… Something that had to come out.”
We’ll have to wait and see whether the UFC opts to reconsider their choice not to offer Mokaev a new fight contract, or if the undefeated ‘Punisher’ finds a new home in another promotion.