Former UFC Flightweight Competer Muhammad Mokaev separated roads with the promotion after his seventh consecutive victory last July.
After beating Manel Kape at UFC 304, the hope of Mokaev to be the next title challenge at 125 pounds quickly demolished when Dana White announced that the promotion would not renew his contract.
The UFC president quoted that the matchmakers and back room staff no longer wanted to work with 'The Punisher' because of his behavior outside the cage.
Although his performances in the Octagon did not do exactly enough to prevent that, the 24-year-old is clearly one of the best hunters in his division at such a young age.
Although Mokaev has made his return to MMA and wins a first round entry at Brave CF 91, it is clear that he is still optimistic about it again at the UFC at a certain moment in the future.
Photo by Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images
Muhammad Mokaev disputes the recent comments from Dana White
During a recent press conference for Power Slap, with Muhammad Mokaev who was present for the event in Saudi Aarabia, Dana White again made it clear that they are currently not planning to rebuild that bridge.
'Listen, I thought I made that pretty clear. Sean [Shelby]Hunter [Campbell]And Mick [Maynard] Didn't like working with him. And they didn't want to sign him again, “White told the media. “He is a free agent, he could be a world champion somewhere else. And maybe they will like him more than Sean, Mick and Hunter. '
This is absolutely insane. The most talented flying weight in the MMA period is Muhammad Mokaev.
He belongs in the most important organization … the UFC.
Draw him again.
pic.twitter.com/dlrahbdmlr
– JG (@jakegerbermma) January 30, 2025
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In a response to social media that apparently has been posted from the wrong account, Mokaev claims that this does not tell the full story.
He says that, unlike what White explained, he is on good terms with Campbell and Maynard.
Mokaev also claims that he has rejected a PFL contract in another representation of his loyalty at the UFC, which is the only promotion for which he wants to fight.
“@Muhammadmokaev reveals that he has rejected a PFL contract that he was offered and still has a good relationship with @huntercampbell & Mick Maynard. He says that they will soon talk about his future together and that he only wants to fight for the UFC! Per @mmavestnik interview! “
Will Muhammad Mokaev will ever come back to the Octagon?
It is certainly not unreasonable to think that Mohammed Mokaev would have already protected a UFC title if he had stayed with the promotion.
@Muhammadmokaev reveals that he has rejected a PFL contract that he was offered and still has a good relationship with @huntercampbell & Mick Maynard. He says that they will soon talk about his future together and that he only wants to fight for the UFC! Per @mmavestnik interview!
– Muhammad Mokaev (@Muhammadmokaev) 4 February 2025
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The flight weight division is perhaps in a strong place at the moment, but there are not many new and exciting challenges for the current champion, Alexandre Pantoja, hence why Kai Asakura went directly in a title fight on UFC 310 in December.
For Mokaev it seems very unlikely that he will be able to change Dana White's thoughts and although we do not know how the matchmakers really feel about him, the fact that he probably wants to be more in the UFC than they want him.
The current focus for 'The Punisher' should be to keep winning, making some noise and prove that it is the best flight weight that is not on the selection.
If he can do that, he may not be able to deny himself to have a second chance.
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