The PFL has closed the door on Muhammad Mokaev.
Just a week after being unexpectedly cut from the UFC following his win over Manel Kape at UFC 304, Mokaev finds himself in a bit of a pickle as PFL president Ray Sefo publicly stated that the promotion isn’t interested in signing the flyweight fighter.
“I’ve spoken to people that are in the know and apparently he’s just a pain in the ass to deal with,” Sefo said following PFL 7. “And so, no, we’re not interested.”
Mokaev quickly fired back at Sefo on X, claiming that the PFL president’s comments were a reaction to him turning down their offers.
“Of course you gonna say this… I never accepted your deals. Nice move,” Mokaev said.
At just 24 years old, Mokaev is widely regarded as one of the top flyweight talents globally, with his win over Kape at UFC 304 bringing his UFC record to a perfect 7-0, with notable victories over ranked contenders like Tim Elliott, Alex Perez, and Cody Durden.
However, UFC 304 marked the final fight on Mokaev’s contract, and UFC CEO Dana White made it clear after the event that the organization is not interested in re-signing him.
“I think the PFL’s going to get a great undefeated guy. Good luck to him,” Dana said at the UFC 304 post-fight press conference.
The events leading up to UFC 304 didn’t do Mokaev any favors. He and Kape got into a brawl at the UFC Performance Institute and had another altercation at the host hotel during fight week in Manchester. Mokaev openly admitted to tricking Kape into taking a photo together, only to sucker-punch him.
While Mokaev eventually won the fight against Kape in a relatively uneventful decision, Dana indicated that Mokaev’s behavior leading up to UFC 304 was just one aspect of a broader issue.
