Muhammad Mokaev releases first statement after UFC departure, still hopes to be re-signed

Muhammad Mokaev sees the error of his ways.

At UFC 304, Mokaev won a unanimous decision over Manel Kape in a bout that was overshadowed by all the controversy surrounding it. Prior to their fight, Mokaev and Kape got into an altercation at the fighter hotel, which Mokaev later admitted to causing when he sucker-punched Kape, and the two nearly came to blows at several other media events during Fight Week. After Saturday’s fight, UFC CEO Dana White said the promotion would not re-sign the undefeated super prospect as he had completed his deal with the UFC.

Needless to say, it was a tumultuous week for Mokaev and now with a little time to reflect, “The Punisher” appears to recognize his actions weren’t well-received.

Mokaev addressed the controversy via social media.

“This is first time I punched outside the cage, it was more personal

“He was the one who head butted 5 days before Perez fight when I went to shake his hand in Vegas!

“I understand, this is wrong what happen at the hotel and I apologize to the UFC, but there’s some nights I didn’t sleep because someone treated me like that , I never been cheap shot on the streets

“I will never let anyone bully me and I never bullied anyone, but whatever happened it happened, I don’t wanna keep going about it but I will take big lesson from it!”

Mokaev was ranked No. 6 in the UFC flyweight rankings before his departure from the promotion. Given the UFC’s willingness to work with other fighters who have behaved in a similar fashion, fans quickly wondered if there was an ulterior motive to the move, with a rumor circulating that Mokaev actually began negotiating with the PFL prior to finishing his UFC contract, prompting White’s comments.

Mokaev’s manager Tim Simpson categorically rejected those reports and Mokaev himself also denies anything of the sort, saying he still hopes to be re-signed by the promotion.

“My dream is to become UFC Champion.

“I turn them all down because UFC gave me the platform to put my name out there and earn money to feed my family!

“[By the way] PFL don’t have flyweight division.

“All these journalists that make this shit up are idiots!

“I hope Dana resigns me, this is my dream to become champion!”

While White could always change his mind, for the time being it appears that Mokaev is truly out of the promotion as he was dropped from the UFC rankings in its latest update. But having just turned 24 years old, with an impressive undefeated record, and nearly 2 million Instagram followers, Mokaev should not lack for suitors for his considerable skillset, if the UFC holds firm.