Muhammad Mokaev, a 21-year-old Russian-born British flyweight, alleges the UFC avoided renewing his contract following his victory at UFC 304. Despite a seven-fight winning streak, the promotion cited behavioral issues and a wrestling-heavy style as reasons for his departure.
The "stop wrestling" text that defined a career
The conflict between Mokaev's technical skill and the UFC's entertainment requirements has been a point of contention since his early days in the promotion. According to the report, the UFC previously sent a text to Mokaev's manager, explicitly stating that the fighter "needs to stop wrestling" because the organization does not want "decision guys."
This preference for high-octane striking over tactical wrestling creates a difficult environment for specialists. While Mokaev boasts a 60 per cent finish rate and even secured a 58-second submission victory during his debut, the pressure to move away from his wrestling-heavy approach appears to have fundamentally clashed with the UFC's vision for the flyweight division.
Behavioral disputes at UFC 304 and the refugee experience
The sudden termination of Mokaev's contract followed his July 2024 victory over Manuel Kape . UFC President Dana White pointed to alleged behavioral issues, specifically clashes with a Portuguese rival at both a hotel and during a weigh-in. Mokaev, who moved from Russia to Britain as a refugee at age 12,has challenged this characterization.
As reported by BBC Sport, Mokaev argued that if he were truly viewed as a "bad guy," the UFC would have banned him from the sport entirely rather than renewing his contract on two separate occasions. This dispute highlights the complex intersection of athlete conduct and promotional management in high-stakes combat sports.
Eight fights and two titles since the July 2024 release
Since leaving the UFC, Mokaev has maintained a relentless pace, fighting eight times over the last two years and capturing both Brave CF and ACBJJ titles. Despite this success, he has faced challenges in securing high-profile contracts that meet his expectations. The report mentions he received an offer for a $10,000 Brazilian jiu-jitsu contest against five-time world champion Mikey Musumeci, but Mokaev dismissed the amount as insulting.
While the Professional Fighters League (PFL) has expressed interest in him for the bantamweight division, Mokaev remains cautious. He has reportedly refused multi-fight deals in favor of single-fight contracts to maintain his leverage as he seeks a return to the top tier of the sport.
The unanswered question of the Campbell and Shelby WhatsApp group
Mokaev's future in the flyweight division remains uncertain, especially as the division prepares for UFC 331, where Joshua Van and Alexandre Pantoja are set to clash. A significant point of confusion remains regarding Mokaev's direct communication with UFC matchmakers Hunter Campbell and Sean Shelby.
Mokaev claims to have been in a WhatsApp group with both men, yet he alleges he has been "handcuffed" by constantly changing goalposts. This raises several critical questions: why has this direct line of communication failed to result in a contract, and is the UFC's hesitation driven by his wrestling style or the reported behavioral incidents? Until these points are clarified, Mokaev's path to a title shot remains blocked.
Comments 0