SUMMARY
- Muhammad Mokaev tried to get an offer from the PFL just to convince the UFC to give him a better deal.
- Insider warned UFC fans that Mokaev's style wasn't an issue.
The whole drama surrounding the recently released Muhammad Mokaev is quite interesting, to say the least. Ahead of UFC 304, Mokaev was one of the best prospects in the flyweight division running on an active seven-fight win streak. Manel Kape, the No.8 ranked fighter in the division was his final opponent in the UFC.
The bad blood between both fighters has caused a lot of unnecessary drama ahead of fight night. However, after officially announcing Mokaev’s release during the post-event press conference, Dana White revealed that they let him go because the matchmakers weren’t big fans of his fighting style. But new information reveals that there was a failed attempt on Mokaev’s end too involving the PFL to entice the UFC to renew his contract.
Muhammad Mokaev wanted to use PFL’s offer to re-sign with the UFC
Ben Davis, a play-by-play commentator on UFC Fight Pass revealed some information on Muhammad Mokaev’s witty attempt to get his contract renewed. Davis claims that Mokaev simply approached the PFL to get a number, which in turn would be used by him to get a bigger deal from the UFC.
Great scoop from my man Ben, here.
So, it seems that Muhammad Mokaev’s management was in contact with PFL when still under UFC contract, trying to use whatever PFL’s number was to negotiate a better contract with the UFC.
That led them to not renew Mokaev’s contract. https://t.co/vVBF5e7inm pic.twitter.com/qSsvoXpo01
— Al Zullino (@phre) July 29, 2024
So if fans were wondering why Dana White sarcastically said the PFL would be getting an undefeated young fighter, it was precisely because of Mokaev’s botched attempt. Luckily, Mokaev ended his contract with a win despite it being an extremely controversial decision made by the judges at UFC 304. Kape also claimed that Mokaev should’ve lost considering the foul play that he resorted to during the fight that had referee Mike Beltran furious.
“Insider” warned that Muhammad Mokaev’s style wasn’t an issue
There were a lot of issues that conspired ahead and during UFC 304. Manel and Muhammad’s beef could’ve been another reason why the UFC decided to let go of the 24-year-old prospect. Zac Pauga, finalist of TUF 30 also weighed in on the issue saying, “Just know that Mokaev being released had nothing to do with his fighting style, the fact that he has all these accolades and they are willing to let him walk should tell you something.”
Like I said in getting tired of being the “inside guy”. Just know that mokaev being released had nothing to do with his fighting style, the fact that he has all these accolades and they are willing to let him walk should tell you something https://t.co/wb9ChAKMBh
— Zac Pauga (@ZacPauga) July 29, 2024
Mokaev also went on to bash Beltran on social media after the fight calling the veteran referee a “juice head”. The former UFC star felt that Beltran shouldn’t have pushed him against the cage before the fight took place and after Kape nearly attacked him inside the octagon. Regardless, Mokaev is set to have a bright future ahead of him as he was a strong title prospect in the UFC.