Muhammad Mokaev’s release from the UFC last month, at which time the promotion opted not to re-sign him despite being unbeaten as an amateur and pro, was shocking.
That Dana White and co. opted to let one of the hottest talents in the flyweight division slip away, reportedly because he was difficult to deal with, took many by surprise. Yes, Mokaev brought much of it on himself when he sucker-punched UFC 304 opponent Manal Kape ahead of their fight, but that was far from the first time the UFC had endured such an incident.
23-years old, and undefeated, seemed like a get out of jail free card. It wasn’t.
Barely days later, PFL President of Fighter Operations Ray Sefo claimed the league wasn’t interested in Mokaev. “I’ve heard he’s a pain in the ass,” Sefo reportedly stated. After Mokaev suggested the PFL had reached out to him, former Bellator matchmaker and current PFL exec Mike Kogan publicly called him a liar.
Yet just as suddenly, it appears the PFL has changed course. In an exclusive interview with Sherdog, PFL CEO Peter Murray was signing Mokaev’s praises, calling him the future face of a possible flyweight division for the company.
“Whether it’s Muhammad coming into the PFL system in one of our franchises, whether that be the global season or Bellator, and others like him, I think it’s a real opportunity — in particular with international talent in the flyweight weight class. Muhammad is the real deal; a lot of respect for him,” Murray stated.
“I believe Muhammad Mokaev could absolutely be the future face of flyweights within the Professional Fighters League, should that be a weight class we open up in the Global Season or within our Bellator platform,” he went on to add. “It’s absolutely something we’re looking at and this kid [Mokaev] is impressive.”
Sounds like Mokaev could have a future with the league, should he still be interested.
