The Ultimate Fighting Championship is tired of flyweight contender Mohammed Mokaev.
Mokaev (13-0, 1 NC) defeated Manel Kape (19-7) on Saturday in his adopted home of England, earning a less-than-stellar unanimous decision victory over his arch rival. The flyweight fighters had quite the feud brewing ahead of UFC 304, with multiple brawls occurring before the actual bout. But once the Octagon door closed, that aggression was nowhere to be found, with referee Mike Beltran calling for more action in the opening frame. UFC officials were not impressed with his performance, much less his behavior backstage.
Coming into the event in Manchester, England, Mokaev revealed that the bout against Kape would be the final fight of his UFC contract, and while he wanted to renew his contract, he said UFC matchmakers did not like his grappling-oriented style and that his contract extension would be contingent on his performance at UFC 304. Mokaev admitted that his win over Kape was by no means thrilling, but the 23-year-old insisted he gave his best against a “big guy.”
“They said they were going to watch me perform,” the youngster declared during the post-fight press conference at UFC 304. “They don’t want to see me keep shooting and keep beating somebody. But I did what I could tonight… They’re not going to like this. [grappling-based style]”They’ve tried to get rid of flyweights before and I don’t want a fight like this, but look, I’m still young and not in my prime. If they want me to go head to head with some big 30-year-old guys, then I have to do my best to win.”
UFC president Dana White denied that promotional executives required Mokaev to fight a certain way to keep his job, noting that UFC has been in business for many years and implying that such an admission would go against the company’s operations. Nevertheless, White suggested that Mokaev’s fighting style is not all that impressive, and that many fighters have exhibited a similar style over the years. White then hinted that there were unspoken issues between Mokaev and UFC executives that may have led to Mokaev’s unplanned free agency.
“Well, the matchmakers don’t really like him for a variety of reasons. [of his fighting style]There are a lot of guys in this business that go for takedowns, there are a lot of guys that fight that style, but it’s not just that… He’s not under contract anymore.
[Professional Fighters League] “He’s going up against a great unbeaten guy, so I wish him the best of luck,” White explained.
Mokaev’s status as a UFC fighter was further confirmed by a notice provided to media members who vote for UFC rankings, which reads:[Mokaev] He has played the last game under his contract and will not be re-signed.”
Mokaev has won all seven of his fights inside the Octagon, finishing with the second-longest winning streak in UFC flyweight history. During his rise through the 125-pound division, “The Punisher” Mokaev defeated such notables as Cody Darden, Tim Elliott and Malcolm Gordon. Mokaev is unbeaten in 37 consecutive amateur and pro fights, which he made clear on Sunday morning.
