Muhammad Mokaev’s tough stretch simply retains getting rougher.
Lower than every week after getting unceremoniously dumped by the UFC following a victory over Manel Kape at UFC 304, Mokaev noticed his choices for future employment shrink additional when PFL president Ray Sefo shot down PFL’s curiosity in vying for the flyweight’s companies.
“I’ve spoken to folks which might be within the know and apparently he’s only a ache within the ass to take care of,” Sefo stated Friday after PFL 7. “And so, no, we’re not .”
Mokaev, 24, is usually considered one of many prime flyweight skills on this planet, at the moment sitting at No. 10 on MMA Combating’s international rankings. His victory over Kape pushed his UFC report to 7-0, with further wins over ranked contenders Tim Elliott, Alex Perez, and Cody Durden. Nonetheless, UFC 304 additionally served because the final struggle on Mokaev’s contract, and UFC CEO Dana White made it clear after the occasion that UFC is just not fascinated with re-signing Mokaev.
“The matchmakers aren’t massive followers of his for a lot of totally different causes,” White stated.
“I believe the PFL’s going to get a terrific undefeated man. Good luck to him.”
The lead-up to UFC 304 didn’t assist Mokaev’s case, as the 2 fighters bought right into a brawl on the UFC Efficiency Institute after which went for spherical two on the host lodge throughout struggle week in Manchester. Following the latter incident, Mokaev overtly admitted that he tricked Kape into taking a photograph collectively earlier than sucker-punching him and igniting a wild scene.
Mokaev in the end defeated Kape in a largely uneventful resolution, however White famous that Mokaev’s conduct surrounding UFC 304 was just one half of a bigger image.
“There was a lot dangerous shit that occurred behind the scenes with that factor,” White stated.
“Hear, the stuff that performed out right here over the past a number of months that began on the [UFC Performance Institute] and different tales of this breaking out, plus many different issues — these guys [UFC matchmakers] don’t wish to re-sign him.”
After listening to White’s feedback, Mokaev tried to clarify his actions on social media and acknowledged that his dream remains to be to turn into UFC champion.
“I hope Dana re-signs me,” Mokaev wrote.
