Muhammad Mokaev may be running out of options.
The undefeated flyweight fighter was let go by Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) this past week following his win at UFC 304 because he was simply a pain to deal with. UFC president Dana White claimed that Mokaev used Professional Fighters League (PFL) negotiations when bargaining for a new UFC deal. Add in some other red flags like sucker punching his opponent and it’s easy to see why UFC passed on re-signing the talented contender.
While Mokaev has pleaded for UFC to take him back it doesn’t appear as if the premier MMA organization is interested in brining back a fighter that only causes headaches (and has a “boring” fighting style). That means Mokaev will have to find work somewhere else, but the 24-year-old fighter shouldn’t expect to sign with PFL either. That’s because PFL president, Ray Sefo, confirmed on Friday that the promotion has no interest in striking a deal with Mokaev.
“Apparently he’s just a pain in the ass to deal with. So no, we’re not interested,” said Sefo (shown in the above video player).
Mokaev, who went 7-0 as a member of the UFC roster and is 13-0 (1 NC) overall in his professional career, should be one of the hottest free agents on the market right now. As an undefeated flyweight who looked to be on his way towards a UFC title shot in 2025 there is a lot to be desired. But sometimes all the behind-the-scenes drama outweighs what a fighter can do inside the cage.
That seems to be the overall consensus about Mokaev, who responded to Sefo after hearing his comments Friday night.
Of course you gonna say this..
I never accepted you deals
Nice move https://t.co/eOhHgiUhbY— Muhammad Mokaev (@muhammadmokaev) August 3, 2024
“Of course you gonna say this,” he wrote. “I never accepted you deals. Nice move.”