Undefeated flyweight prospect Muhammad Mokaev has revealed that he pleaded with the UFC to allow him to compete for free in order to secure a contract renewal. The 24-year-old, who was previously on the verge of a title eliminator bout, was surprisingly released from the promotion following his unanimous decision victory over Manel Kape in Manchester.
Mokaev, who had extended his winning streak to seven fights, expressed his disbelief at being cut from the roster, particularly given his dominant performance against Kape. “I was surprised to be honest. I would understand if Manel Kape had defeated me, I wouldn’t be as surprised to go out from a defeat like Askar Askarov; he lost to Kai Kara-France and got cut, but I’ve never seen someone undefeated go so early,” the Dagestani said in an interview.
Determined to prove his worth and earn another opportunity with the UFC, Mokaev took a bold step, reaching out to UFC Chief Business Officer Hunter Campbell. “I said to Hunter Campbell, whatever I’ve done at the hotel, I’m ready to pay for that and fight my next fight in the UFC for free,” Mokaev revealed.
The rising star acknowledged that his actions may have been unprofessional, but emphasized the importance of addressing the underlying issues. “Whatever trouble I am in, I think it’s unprofessional, but it’s something that was in my heart for a long time – I have to get rid of it,” he said.
Despite the setback, Mokaev remains hopeful that the UFC will reconsider their decision and allow him to return to the promotion. “I want to come back to UFC and hopefully I will be back,” he declared, noting that he had previously done the organization a favor by fighting Alex Perez just days after an alleged incident with Kape at the UFC Performance Institute.
As the fallout from Mokaev’s controversial exit continues, the young fighter’s willingness to compete for free in order to regain a spot on the UFC roster showcases his determination to prove his worth and continue his ascent in the flyweight division.
