“No second chances,” Dana White bluntly reveals fate of undefeated prospect Muhammad Mokaev

Dana White deals death blow to UFC return, can't help Brave FC flyweight Muhammad Mokaev with contract extension.


“No second chances,” Dana White bluntly reveals fate of undefeated prospect Muhammad Mokaev

UFC CEO Dana White acts axeman to Muhammad Mokaev returning (Source: X/IMAGO)

Muhammad Mokaev failed to secure an extension to his UFC contract at UFC 304 PPV, despite being undefeated. Many believed it was because of the publicity he caused while trying to create intrigue and sell his fight with Manel Kape. Others claimed it was because the flyweight contender often failed to entertain. UFC headman and CEO Dana White doesn’t have anything positive to add on that front either.

He had asked for a title crack but got a pink slip at the UFC 304 PPV post-fight news conference at Co-op Live. Dana White said it wasn’t Mokaev’s performance or how he fought that made or broke the decision. But pointed to issues outside the cage as why matchmaker Mick Maynard/Head litigator and CBO Hunter Campbell chose to cull him. Muhammad Mokaev (13-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) was a no-brainer to return, if at all – but now, the old bossman says no.

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Listen, I, I..i thought I made it pretty clear…Sean, Hunter, and Mick did not like working with him. And they did not want to re-sign him. He is a free agent – I mean, he could be a world champion somewhere else. And maybe they will like him better than Sean, Mick, and Hunter do...

Dana White during Power Slap 11: Post-Match Press Conference Da Crazy Hawaiian vs. Dumpling 2 | Thursday January 30th 12pET/9aPT (🎥: (@ufc) on YT)

White was in a nonchalant mood as usual and willing to revel in all things Power Slap only. He dismissed the recent 2025 GFL draft as any real competition, he even boasted that he aims at levels like NFL, College Football, and house show movies. In another nonchalant strain, Dana White was also oblivious that the Buynaksk, Dagestan fighter was in-house. Mokaev attended Power Slap 11: Da Crazy Hawaiian vs. Dumpling 2 that very night.

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As the MMA world began to dissect UFC’s decision to drop Mokaev, some thought that brass had released him. White reiterated that he wasn’t; he was just not resigned. Mokaev might just be a flyweight champ elsewhere with free agency, but UFC is no longer his home. The Team KHK MMA Team fighter though has put a positive spin around it all.

Muhammad Mokaev takes axeman’s blow as learning experience, wants back in the octagon soon

Mokaev ran into a string of troubles and skirmishes but there were never doubts about his skillset ceiling. Muhammad Mokaev was one of the top contenders in the UFC when he unceremoniously saw his out. The 24-year-old flyweight proved every bit so in his next fight, away from the promotion.

'Best Flyweight' Muhammad Mokaev still planning another UFC reign
‘Best Flyweight’ Muhammad Mokaev still planning another UFC reign (Source: X)

At BRAVE CF 91 (December 13, 2024, BRAVE Combat Federation card at 11:30 AM ET) he ran through quick replacement Joevincent So (10-6). Mokaev submitted him in under two minutes’ time and touted himself best in the world. The winning stint outside did not move things towards the UFC again. However, the Dagestani sees positives in this.

I spoke to Hunter…straight after what happened in Manchester. He said, ‘We will see you back in the UFC,’ but maybe they want to see me mature more outside the octagon, but whatever happened, I’m ready to come back now. I’m fighting in BRAVE, so whenever they call me, I’m ready. I want to become UFC champion, and I knew I could because I was very, very close to it.

Muhammad Mokaev during Power Slap 11: Post-Match Press Conference Da Crazy Hawaiian vs. Dumpling 2

There’s no telling how much truth lies in this. Mokaev had also said he was already the highest-paid flyweight fighter. Globally, even without a strap. So taking this with a grain of salt would be a good step. But if true along both these lines, Mokaev is up for quite the achievement and might prosper just fine outside as well.

Related: “What kind of a Muslim are you?” Manel Kape slams ‘Shaytan’ Muhammad Mokaev for setting up group attack