Ex-UFC champion slams Dana White's 'f***ed up' decision to brutally cut British fighter after win

Dana White has been slammed by former UFC champion Aljamain Sterling for his brutal decision to cut Muhammad Mokaev immediately after UFC 304 in Manchester.

British fighter Mokaev secured a unanimous decision victory against Manel Kape in their flyweight bout at Co-op Live at the weekend, improving his overall professional record in MMA to 13-0.

But in a shock move, White cut Mokaev from the UFC during his post-event press conference, despite the Russia-born fighter winning all seven of his contests since first joining the promotion in 2022.

Explaining his decision, White said: "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.

"There are 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 PFL is going to get a great, undefeated guy. Good luck to him."

Mokaev has rubbished reports that he was cut from UFC after trying to use the PFL to negotiate a better contract, while admitting he hopes to re-sign for White's company in the future.

"My dream is to become UFC champion," Mokaev posted on X.

"I turn them all down because UFC gave me the platform to put my name out there and earn money to feed my family! By the way, PFL doesn't have a flyweight division.

"All these journalists that make this sh*t up are idiots! I hope Dana re-signs me, this is my dream to become champion!"

White has received backing from Irish star Conor McGregor over his decision to cut Mokaev.

After a clip of White's comment was posted on Instagram, the 'Notorious' replied: "They can have him."

But not all fighters agree with White, with current UFC star – former bantamweight champion Sterling – criticising the decision to axe Mokaev.

"I think it's f**ked up. I don't think there was any real reason to cut him," Sterling told The MMA Hour.

Sterling then went on to reference an altercation between Mokaev and Kape ahead of their fight, which saw the British fighter punch his opponent at the fighters' hotel.

Mokaev was cut from the UFC by White (Image: Getty)

"I mean, you could say the piggybacking of the fight at the [UFC Performance Institute], but that takes two to tango. I know Mokaev was the first one to talk s**t... to put your arm around someone to take a picture and then sucker punch them, I think that's a little bit too low for me. I don't know. I think that one is very, very dirty."

Sterling then returned to White's controversial decision, questioning if it was the correct one for the UFC.

"You got one guy who's undefeated, gets cut. It's weird and then you hear that supposedly he was told, 'If you don't want to get cut, don't keep shooting for takedowns'," added Sterling.

"I don't think he really kept shooting for takedowns in that fight against Manel. I thought he actually fought a really good fight. I thought both of them brought a really good fight. Outside of the animosity, I thought it was a really good fight."