Mokaev's final fight in the UFC came with a decision victory over Manel Kape at UFC 304.
Post-fight, the 23-year-old revealed his UFC contract had concluded and expressed hope for a new deal, hinging on his performance against Kape.
However, UFC executives indicated that they were not keen on his grappling-heavy fighting style, suggesting they wanted to see more dynamic performances.
Dana White addressed Mokaev's departure in a post-event press conference. "Yeah, that’s what we tell guys. We tell guys how to fight," White stated. "We’ve been doing this for a long f*cking time. I’m sure one of the matchmakers probably said something to him or whatever. The matchmakers aren’t big fans of his for many different reasons. There’s a lot of people who shoot takedowns in this business, a lot of guys that fight with that type of style. But it’s a lot more than just that."
Despite acknowledging Mokaev's unblemished record, White confirmed that the UFC would not be renewing his contract. "He’s not under contract anymore. I think the PFL’s going to get a great undefeated guy. Good luck to him," White added.
Mokaev's departure also stems from several off-cage incidents, including a notable altercation with Manel Kape. The fighters clashed at the UFC Performance Institute and had another heated exchange at the host hotel during fight week in Manchester. Mokaev admitted to sucker-punching Kape under the pretense of taking a photo together, escalating tensions between their camps.
While Dana White refrained from delving into the specifics, he hinted that Mokaev's exit was due to multiple factors beyond his fighting style. "It’s not solely about any one thing, but instead a multitude of issues led to his dismissal," White said.
Stay tuned for more updates on Muhammad Mokaev's career and other UFC news.