TLDR
- Muhammad Mokaev won all seven UFC fights before being released in July 2024 despite an active winning streak
- He believes ‘politics’ and broken promises from UFC management have kept him out for two years
- UFC offered him $10,000 to face Mikey Musumeci in a BJJ match, which he rejected as insulting
- Mokaev has continued fighting outside the UFC, winning titles in BRAVE CF and ACBJJ
- The 26-year-old remains in contact with UFC matchmakers and is considering PFL if UFC doesn’t call
Sources: sports.yahoo.com | sportbible.com | bjjdoc.com
Muhammad Mokaev says he will not stop pursuing a return to the UFC despite what he calls “politics” keeping him out of the promotion for two years. The undefeated flyweight was released by UFC president Dana White in July 2024, just hours after winning his seventh straight fight in the organization.
Mokaev defeated Manuel Kape by unanimous decision at UFC 304 in Manchester, England. The victory gave him the third-longest win streak in UFC flyweight division history.
Confusion Over Release
The 26-year-old Russian-born British fighter says he still doesn’t understand why the UFC let him go. “If I’m a bad guy, why would you let me fight seven fights and renew my contract twice?” Mokaev told BBC Sport.
Some reports suggested that clashes with Kape at the fighter hotel and weigh-ins may have influenced the decision. But Mokaev denies that behavior was the real reason.
Mohammed Mokaev was ready to step in at UFC Qatar if anyone from Bantamweight or Flyweight missed weight 🔥
“One hundred percent I could make bantamweight on one day notice. There was Topuria versus Kazakh and I was ready to step in. I had just fought two weeks ago. When you… pic.twitter.com/MCE7QK19Cs
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) December 2, 2025
Dana White later stated that Mokaev was unwelcome due to how he treated staff. Other rumors suggest his manager Tim Simpson was negotiating with rival promotion PFL while Mokaev was still under UFC contract.
The promotion also reportedly told Mokaev he needed to stop wrestling so much because they didn’t want “a decision guy.” Mokaev points out he has around a 60% finish rate in the UFC.
Low Offer for BJJ Match
After his release, UFC officials approached Mokaev about competing in UFC BJJ against bantamweight grappling champion Mikey Musumeci. The offer came with a payment of just $10,000.
Mokaev found the amount insulting given his standing in the sport. “They said, ‘no, this is different. BJJ is different. This is different. We have other plans.’ I told them where to go,” he said.
He admits his reply included some choice words. Mokaev says he would have accepted the match if there had been a real prize attached to it.
Since leaving the UFC, Mokaev has stayed extremely active in other promotions. He has won titles in both BRAVE CF and ACBJJ, finishing opponents with chokes, body kicks, head kicks and punches.
Despite his winning record, UFC matchmakers Hunter Campbell, Mick Maynard and Sean Shelby have not offered him a new contract. Mokaev believes the promotion keeps moving the goalposts for his return.
“Hunter made me a promise. They basically wasted two years of my life,” Mokaev said. “That’s how I feel right now. I don’t think what they are doing is right.”
Mokaev remains in contact with UFC officials through a WhatsApp group. He stays convinced that his continued success will eventually force the promotion to bring him back.
“The way I’m going to compete and keep winning, eventually they’re going to send me there,” he said. “I think I’m the best flyweight in the world and I deserve to fight the best.”
The Professional Fighters League (PFL) has offered Mokaev a multi-fight contract to compete at bantamweight. The promotion recently merged with Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions and doesn’t currently have a flyweight division.
Mokaev says he will consider the PFL offer if the UFC doesn’t change its position and if PFL creates a 125-pound division. “I want to stay active because I’m still young. I just turned 26. Most people start their careers at this age,” he said.
Mokaev arrived in Britain as a refugee at age 12. He remains unbeaten across 40 amateur and professional matches combined.
The flyweight title fight between Joshua Van and Alexandre Pantoja takes place at UFC 331 in Los Angeles this Saturday. Mokaev believes that could have been his opportunity if the UFC hadn’t released him.
