Following his surprising release from the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Muhammad Mokaev declared his intention to eventually return and fulfill his potential in the promotion.
When Muhammad Mokaev joined the UFC in 2022, many immediately saw him as a future champion. His impressive victories against opponents like Charles Johnson and Alex Perez positioned him for a potential number one contender fight in the flyweight division against Manel Kape.
However, despite a close win over Kape at UFC 304, Mokaev was unexpectedly released from the UFC. Dana White stated that Mokaev was difficult to work with behind the scenes as the reason for the cut.
Muhammad Mokaev Announces Surprising Next Step After UFC Exit
After being cut from the UFC, Mokaev returned to BRAVE CF, the promotion where his MMA journey began. He secured a first-round submission victory last December.
Since his UFC departure, Mokaev, known as ‘The Punisher’, has expressed his desire to return to the UFC to achieve his highly anticipated legacy. He previously aimed to become the youngest UFC champion, surpassing Jon Jones` record.
However, at 24 years old, Mokaev likely faces a significant challenge in convincing the UFC to re-sign him.
Adding to the surprise, Mokaev announced this past Wednesday that his next fight will be in Karate Combat on May 2 in Dubai at KC54.
“My first sport was karate, then I transitioned to wrestling. I want to compete, stay active, and improve my striking. Wrestling will always be my plan B, but I need to develop plan A,” Mokaev revealed in a post on X.
This news has surprised many MMA fans, as Mokaev is primarily known for his exceptional grappling and wrestling skills.
UFC Fighter Steve Erceg Criticizes Muhammad Mokaev Before UFC Mexico City Event
Since Mokaev`s unexpected UFC release, Steve Erceg has emerged as a prominent contender in the 125lbs division.
This Saturday, ‘Astroboy’ will face former champion Brandon Moreno in the main event of UFC Mexico City, seeking a return to victory and a potential path back to title contention.
Leading up to his important fight, Erceg criticized Mokaev`s behavior during his UFC tenure, calling him a ‘privileged diva’.
“I didn’t like the way (Muhammad Mokaev) interacted with people around him, and he’s messaged me since,” Erceg stated on The Ariel Helwani Show.
“I’m increasingly thinking he’s a massive jerk. He seemed like a privileged diva… It was surprising because you’d expect someone with his background to be more humble… He just seemed like a douche… I would love to slap him around,” Erceg added.
