Muhammad Mokaev Shuts Down UFC Return, Eyes PFL Deal
The undefeated flyweight says the UFC wasted two years of his career and is now looking at a long-term PFL contract.
Muhammad Mokaev is done waiting for the UFC to bring him back. The undefeated flyweight, who parted ways with the promotion in 2024 after winning seven straight fights, says he has lost patience with the organization and is turning his attention toward the PFL.
Mokaev told MMA Sucka that UFC executive Hunter Campbell made him a promise that was never kept. "Hunter made me a promise. They basically wasted two years of my life," Mokaev said. "I don't think what they are doing is right."
The UFC recently offered Mokaev a spot on a UFC BJJ card, a grappling match against Mikey Musumeci for a reported $10,000. Mokaev was open to it, but only if it came with a path back to the MMA roster. When the UFC told him the BJJ event was separate and they had "other plans," Mokaev shut it down. "I told them where to go," he said.
The 26-year-old is now eyeing a multi-fight deal with the PFL, which has offered him a contract, per MMA Sucka. The catch is the PFL currently has no men's flyweight division. That could change following the PFL's merger with Jake Paul's Most Valuable Promotions. Mokaev posted on social media that he's ready for a long-term deal if PFL and MVP create a 125-pound division.
Since leaving the UFC, Mokaev has stayed active with Brave Combat Federation and has continued winning. His last UFC fight was a unanimous decision over Manel Kape at UFC 304, and he remains widely considered one of the best flyweights in the world.
The UFC fumbled this one, plain and simple. You had an undefeated flyweight who was cleaning out the division, and you let him walk. Now he's telling you exactly where you can put your $10,000 grappling offer. I don't blame him.
Mokaev is 26 and he's already won seven UFC fights without a loss. That's the kind of talent you build a division around. Instead, the UFC is out here offering him a BJJ card that leads nowhere while telling him they have "other plans." Other plans for what? The flyweight division isn't exactly overflowing with stars.
The PFL play is smart if they actually build the 125-pound class. With the MVP merger, there's money and attention coming in. Mokaev as the face of a new flyweight division makes too much sense. But the PFL has to actually do it, not just talk about it. Until there's a signed contract and a fight date, Mokaev is still the best flyweight in the world with nowhere to go. That's a waste of everyone's time.
https://mmasucka.com/news/muhammad-mokaev-turned-down-a-ufc-bjj-title-fight-for-one-key-reason/
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