Mokaev (13-0, 1 NC) defeated Manel Kape (19-7) in his adopted home country of England on Saturday, picking up a less-than-stellar decision win over his bitter rival. Ahead of UFC 304, the flyweights had brewed plenty of bad blood between them, even getting into multiple scuffles prior to their actual fight. However, that aggression was nowhere to be found once the Octagon doors closed, with referee Mike Beltran even calling for more action in the opening frame. The UFC brass was not impressed by his performance, and even less so by his conduct behind the scenes.
Approaching this event in Manchester, England, Mokaev revealed that the bout with Kape was the last fight on his UFC contract. While he hoped it would be renewed, he claimed that UFC matchmakers were not a fan of his grappling-heavy style and allegedly told him that his re-signing hinged on his UFC 304 performance. While Mokaev admitted his win over Kape was far from thrilling, the 23-year-old claimed to have done his best against a “grown man.”
“They said they’re going to see how I perform,” the youngster proclaimed at the UFC 304 post-fight press conference. “They don’t want to see me keep shooting and taking somebody down. But I’ve done what I could do tonight…They don’t like this [grappling-based style]. They tried to get rid of flyweights before and they don’t want this kind of fight. But, listen, I’m young, I’m still not in my prime. If they want me to stand and bang, toe-to-toe with these 30-year-old grown men, I have to do what’s best for me to win.”
UFC head Dana White dismissed the notion that a promotion official specifically demanded Mokaev fight a certain way to keep his job, noting that the UFC has been in business for years while alluding to the point that such an admission would be antithetical to the company's operation. Still, White suggested that Mokaev’s fighting style was not overly impressive, while also stating that many fighters over the years have brought similar styles. White then hinted at untold issues between Mokaev and UFC brass that might have led to Mokaev’s unplanned free agency.“
Yeah, the matchmakers aren’t big fans of his for many different reasons, and not just because [of his fighting style], there’s a lot of people who shoot takedowns in this in this business. A lot of guys that fight with that type of style, but it’s a lot more than just that…He’s not under contract anymore. I think the [Professional Fighters League] is going to get a great, undefeated guy. Good luck to him,” White explained.
Mokaev’s conclusion as a UFC fighter was further confirmed by a notice provided to media members who vote on the UFC rankings, writing, “[Mokaev] has completed the last fight on his contract and will not be re-signed.”
Mokaev ends his tenure on the roster with the second-lengthiest win streak in UFC flyweight history, as the winner of all seven of his bouts in the Octagon. On his way up the 125-pound ladder, “The Punisher” finished names including Cody Durden, Tim Elliott and Malcolm Gordon. Mokaev has not lost in 37 straight fights, amateur and pro combined, and pointed this out on Sunday morning.
Reference: https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/UFC-Publicly-Declines-to-ReSign-Muhammad-Mokaev-Despite-UFC-304-Win-194472
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