Released despite seven straight wins, baffled Mokaev vows UFC return

Released despite seven straight wins, baffled Mokaev vows UFC return. Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Muhammad Mokaev won all seven of his fights in the UFC before he was released in 2024ByKeifer MacDonaldBBC Sport journalistPublished11 minutes agoIt has been more than two years since Muhammad Mokaev was released by the UFC – and yet he is still searching for answers.

What happened

Muhammad Mokaev tells BBC Sport that he is still searching for answers about why he was cut by the UFC in 2024 and dreams of returning to the organisation. Four out of seven fights were finishes against top guys," Mokaev said. Only former UFC champions Demetrious Johnson (13) and Pantoja (eight) have recorded longer winning streaks in the flyweight division than Mokaev (seven). There have been more lucrative, multi-fight contracts offered to Mokaev since 2024, though he will only consider signing them if the UFC's stance on his return does not soften.

In July 2024 the Russian-born Briton had just stretched his winning run in the promotion to seven fights with a unanimous decision victory over Manuel Kape at UFC 304. From the outside, Mokaev appeared to have it all. But later that night UFC president Dana White made the shock announcement they would not be re-signing Mokaev.

The wider picture

It was initially suggested Mokaev's behaviour in the build-up to facing Kape – which included clashes with his Portuguese rival at the fighters' hotel and again at the weigh-ins – may have influenced the UFC's decision. "If we talk about behaviour, right – if I'm a bad guy, why would you let me fight seven fights and renew my contract twice? Mokaev won his UFC debut via submission in just 58 seconds before beating Charles Johnson by unanimous decision in his second bout.

"'They basically wasted two years of my life'Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Muhammad Mokaev is unbeaten in 40 fights across his amateur and professional careerYou only need one look at Mokaev's record since July 2024 to understand how determined he is to make his way back to the UFC. Although Mokaev is in a WhatsApp group with Campbell and Shelby, he believes the UFC is constantly moving the goalposts. They basically wasted two years of my life," Mokaev explained.

"Mokaev says he was also offered $10,000 (£7,399) to compete in UFC BJJ, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu competition, against bantamweight champion Mikey Musumeci. Despite finding the proposed fee deeply insulting, he was willing to face the five-time world champion if the UFC offered him a contract afterwards.

What has been reported

We have other plans. ' I told them where to go," said Mokaev, who admitted his response to the UFC contained several expletives. Mokaev will consider offer from PFLImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Joshua Van (left) will make the second defence of his flyweight title against Alexandre Pantoja on Saturday at UFC 331When Joshua Van defends his flyweight title in a rematch with Alexandre Pantoja at UFC 331 in Los Angeles, California, on Saturday, there will be a sense of what might have been for Mokaev.

It was a feat that had long looked likely to be achieved by Mokaev after he signed with the UFC in 2021 and quickly soared through the ranks. "The way I'm going to compete and keep winning, eventually they're going to send me there," Mokaev said. Mokaev says he would be tempted to put pen to paper if the PFL created a 125-pound division following its merger with Jake Paul's Most Valuable Promotions in July. I just turned 26 – most people start their careers at this age," Mokaev said.

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What happens next

And despite their commercial success, driving games rarely command the same reverence or critical respect as blockbuster narrative games. Victory over Kape in Manchester had seemingly further cemented his place as a top contender in the flyweight division and a title shot appeared to be within his grasp. "If I'm a bad guy in the company and organisation, they would cut me after one or two fights. "The flyweight, who moved to Britain as a refugee when he was 12 years old, believes his wrestling-heavy style was a contributing factor.

He says the UFC texted his manager after the victory over Johnson saying "he needs to stop wrestling – we don't want these decision guys". "I don't know what else I need to do to show them – I was 21 when I was fighting these veterans and now I'm much better and much stronger. Even Manuel Kape, and he is ranked number two right now.

The report has been compiled by The Daily Waves using information reported across bbc.co.uk, theguardian.com. Details are presented according to the information available at the time of publication and may change as authorities, organisers or other relevant parties provide updates.