PFL changes tune on Muhammad Mokaev: 'Could absolutely be the future face of flyweights'

It appears PFL is interested in potentially signing Muhammad Mokaev after all.

The UFC opted not to re-sign Mokaev after he fought out his contract with a decision win over Manel Kape at UFC 304 in July. Mokaev was branded as tough to work with, prompting PFL president Ray Sefo to say he’s uninterested in signing Mokaev, who he heard is a “pain in the ass to deal with.”

However, PFL CEO Pete Murray thinks otherwise. PFL doesn’t currently have a flyweight division, but Murray still sees Mokaev as worthy talent to sign.

“I do think the flyweight category is something we will be getting into in the future,” Murray told Sherdog. “I know our guys are looking at it. You look at fighters like Muhammad Mokaev, he’s a 13-0 flyweight from Dagestan. This kid has the second-longest winning streak in UFC flyweight history. He was 23-0 as an amateur. When I look at a kid like that, that’s an opportunity.

“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 thinks he could build the flyweight division through someone like Mokaev.

“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,” Murray said. “It’s absolutely something we’re looking at, and this kid is impressive.”