Muhammad Mokaev may be undefeated in the Octagon, but his recent actions caused a major problem for his future in the UFC. He is now learning the hard way that actions have consequences after he found himself in a precarious position with no job to look forward to.
The 24-year-old Dagestani-born Brit recently fought out his UFC contract at UFC 304. His victory over rival Manel Kape should have been cause for celebration. Instead, Mokaev is now pleading for his job after UFC CEO Dana White’s shocking announcement in which he stated that the promotion had no interest in re-signing the young fighter.
“My dream is to become UFC Champion. 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 shit up are idiots! I hope Dana resigns me, this is my dream to become champion!” Mokaev tweeted.
Muhammad Mokaev’s dismissal was initially thought to be due to his wrestling-heavy fighting style irking the UFC brass. But it was his behind-the-scenes behavior that sealed his fate. The Punisher’s pre-fight antics, particularly a hotel brawl with Kape’s team, crossed a line. There were even rumors about him using a PFL deal to negotiate with the UFC.
Mokaev’s plea highlights the thin line fighters walk between promotion and professionalism. His apology paints a picture of a young man realizing actions have real-world consequences. The irony isn’t lost on fans that Mokaev’s most attention-grabbing moment came after his release. His impassioned plea has garnered more interest than his recent lackluster victory.
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Muhammad Mokaev Allegedly Used PFL Negotiations As Leverage For A Better UFC Contract
Negotiation tactics are a common occurrence in the sports world and they can make or break a career. Muhammad Mokaev, the undefeated flyweight sensation, might have just learned this lesson the hard way. Fresh off his victory at UFC 304, Mokaev was shown the door by UFC CEO Dana White.
White’s decision left many in the MMA community scratching their heads. After all, undefeated prospects don’t grow on trees in this brutal sport. But as the dust settled, a more complex picture began to emerge. It seems Mokaev‘s negotiation strategy may have backfired spectacularly. According to MMA commentator Ben Davis, Mokaev and his team tried to play hardball with the UFC.
“Mokaev and his management team tried to check on what PFL would pay well before his last fight on the deal. 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,” said Davis via his YouTube channel.
It appears that the plan was to use PFL’s offer as leverage in negotiations with the UFC. This is a classic move in the contract negotiation playbook. However, these tactics are risky with Dana White and the UFC, and Muhammad Mokaev, an undefeated fighter, paid the price for them with his dismissal from the UFC.
Now that Muhammad Mokaev has apologized to the UFC, it will be interesting to see if they renew the fighter’s contract. Will that actually happen? That’s a question only Dana White can answer!
Also Read: UFC 304: Muhammad Mokaev Edges Out Manel Kape In Lackluster Affair
