Featured Image Credit: UFC/TNT Sports
Topics: Dana White, UFC
Nasir Jabbar
An MMA journalist claims to know the real reason behind Muhammad Mokaev's release from the UFC.
Mokaev's UFC flyweight title eliminator against Manel Kape opened the preliminary card of UFC 304 last weekend.
The bad-blooded clash between the two highly-ranked UFC flyweights promised to be an exciting affair following the intense build-up, which included a hotel scrap.
But Mokaev vs. Kape failed to deliver as the action inside the famed Octagon left a lot to be desired.
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The 23-year-old, hailing from Wigan, ended up with the victory as he took home a unanimous decision victory.
Mokaev's victory over Kape improved his UFC record to 7-0.
However, Dana White brutally cut him from the roster after the Brit came to the end of his UFC deal.
Asked whether 'The Punisher' would remain in the UFC, White replied: "I think the PFL [Professional Fighters League] is gonna get a great undefeated guy."
The UFC chief referenced PFL because Mokaev had contacted PFL over what they would pay him ahead of his last fight on his UFC contract.
That's according to Ben Davis, who claimed the Dagestan-born fighter tried to use PFL as leverage over a new UFC deal, which angered the UFC bosses.
"Mokaev and his management team tried to check on what PFL would pay well before his last fight on the deal," Davis' source said in their screenshotted direct messages.
"UFC got wind of this and considered it the last straw of why they weren’t going to re-sign. It’s why Dana mentioned, 'PFL is getting a good undefeated guy'.
"Essentially, he was trying to use the number from PFL as leverage," they concluded.
Mokaev's manager Tim Simpson claims those reports are 'completely false' as the fighter himself also made his feelings clear.
"My dream is to become UFC Champion," he wrote 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! Btw PFL don’t have flyweight division. All these journalists that make this sh*t up are idiots! I hope Dana resigns me, this is my dream to become champion!"
Mokaev has already been removed from the UFC flyweight rankings, indicating his release from the promotion.
Despite being a young, undefeated fighter, he will have to ply his trade away from the UFC.
SPORTbible have reached out to the UFC and Mokaev for comment.