When it comes to global MMA promotions, the UFC remains the cream of the crop – but that’s not to say that the organization doesn’t make mistakes regarding its roster of talent.
Arguably the biggest ‘roster mistake’ of the past few years arrived in mid-2024 when the promotion controversially cut flyweight contender Muhammad Mokaev from their ranks.
The British-Dagestani submission specialist was axed after a series of run-ins with fellow flyweight Manel Kape – now, as he plies his trade back in Brave CF, ‘The Punisher’ has revealed that he’s spoken to the UFC matchmakers about his fighting future.
Muhammad Mokaev says the door has been left open for UFC return
After Muhammad Mokaev defeated Kape via unanimous decision at UFC 304, many were expecting Dana White to confirm that he’d finally earned his shot at flyweight gold.
However, to the shock of the wider MMA world, the promotion decided that Mokaev was too much trouble to handle and refused to renew his contract; soon after, he was officially removed from the UFC roster and signed with Brave CF.
Speaking earlier today to Ariel Helwani, Mokaev confirmed that he’s been in conversation with UFC matchmakers Hunter Campbell and Mick Maynard about the possibility of him being re-signed.
“I spoke to Hunter [Campbell]. He said – he didn’t say that I’d never come back to the UFC – he said maybe I’m one or two fights away [from re-signing] and we’ll get back to negotiations.
“I spoke also to Mick [Maynard], I came up to him at the hotel for UFC Abu Dhabi and he was good, I explained the situation I am in with Brave right now, so whenever you’re ready to sign me back, I’m free – like I am free agent.”
Mokaev suggested that perhaps the UFC matchmakers are waiting to see how he develops in Brave CF before deciding whether to re-sign him to their roster.
“I just want to stay busy and it’s really hard for me to find high-level opponents right now in this part of my career,” he explained, having scored a first-round submission at Brave CF 91 in December.
“They know that my dream is to come back and I’m here, that’s it.”
Regarding the rumor that Muhammad Mokaev had been talking to the PFL while still under contract with the UFC, ‘The Punisher’ disputed any notion of secret negotiations: “People said that I was talking to the PFL, which I never did.
“Being 7-0 and having negotiations with another organization, that must be the most stupid thing that anyone could do; nobody did that from my team… Maybe my style wasn’t as exciting as they wanted to see.
“Of course, they want to see highlights because highlights bring the money for the company, and it’s a business for them – I’m still young and I believe that I can develop my game to bring the excitement.”
MMA fans cry it’d be ‘foolish not to sign him back’ to the UFC roster
Given his brash personality, fight style, and the fact that the UFC flyweight division is suffering from a severe lack of star power, it’s no surprise that fans are desperate to see Mokaev re-signed to the promotion.
“The UFC would be foolish not to sign him back,” wrote one fan on X, with another adding that “If Mokaev returns to the UFC, it could shake up the division.”
Aside from the fanbase, several UFC fighters have also come out in support of ‘The Punisher’.
UFC heavyweight Tom Aspinall believes that the situation surrounding Mokaev remains extremely unfair, telling boxing legend Carl Froch that the UFC rarely cuts fighters over their behavior.
“I think it’s unfair [that they won’t re-sign him] to be honest with you, I think it’s unfair. This has happened before all this beef in the hotel and at the weigh-ins and all the rest of it, it’s not the first time so I think it’s a bit unfair on him just to kick him out indefinitely.”
Mokaev is currently 13-0 as a professional and still at only 24 years old, there’s plenty of time for him to work his way back into the UFC good books.