After his unexpected release from the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), rising star Muhammad Mokaev declared his intention to return and make his mark in the promotion.
Mokaev joined the UFC in 2022 with high expectations, quickly becoming known as a future champion.
Impressive wins against opponents like Charles Johnson and Alex Perez positioned him for a potential title contender fight in the flyweight division against Manel Kape.
However, despite a close victory over Kape at UFC 304, Mokaev was surprisingly let go from the UFC. Dana White cited difficulties dealing with Mokaev behind the scenes as the reason for his release.
Muhammad Mokaev Announces Next Career Step After UFC Exit
Following his UFC departure, Mokaev returned to BRAVE CF, where he started his professional MMA journey, and secured a first-round submission victory last December.
Since leaving the UFC, “The Punisher” has expressed his desire to return to the promotion and achieve his anticipated legacy, aiming to become the youngest UFC champion, surpassing Jon Jones` record.
However, at 24 years old, Mokaev faces a significant challenge in convincing the UFC to re-sign him.
In a surprising turn of events, Mokaev announced this past Wednesday that his next fight will be in Karate Combat on May 2nd in Dubai at KC54.
“My original martial art was karate, before transitioning to wrestling. I want to compete, stay active, and improve my striking skills. Wrestling is always my backup, but I need to develop my striking game,” Mokaev stated in a post online.
This announcement surprised many in the MMA community, as Mokaev is primarily recognized for his exceptional grappling and wrestling abilities.
UFC Fighter Criticizes Muhammad Mokaev After UFC Release
Since Mokaev`s unexpected exit from the UFC, Steve Erceg has emerged as a prominent contender in the 125lbs division.
Erceg is set to face former champion Brandon Moreno at UFC Mexico City, aiming to regain momentum and potentially contend for the title again.
Ahead of this significant fight, Erceg has criticized Mokaev`s behavior during his UFC tenure, calling him a `privileged diva`.
“I wasn`t impressed with Muhammad Mokaev`s interactions with people, and he has contacted me since,” Erceg mentioned on The Ariel Helwani Show.
“I increasingly think he`s a massive jerk. He came across as a privileged diva… It`s surprising because you`d expect someone with his background to be more humble… He just seemed like a douche… I`d love to fight him,” Erceg added.
