Steve Erceg thinks the UFC made an example out of Muhammad Mokaev.
There’s a change in scenery in the UFC Flyweight division with the unbeaten Mokaev being booted from the rankings and the roster after his fight with Manel Kape didn’t live up to the hype at UFC 304. Despite being 7-0 inside the Octagon, Mokaev was not re-signed after completing his contract with UFC CEO Dana White saying the PFL was going to get a ‘great, undefeated guy.’
While the reason for his release was not really specified, it didn’t help that the “The Punisher” sucker punched opponent Kape during fight week to get payback for a past altercation at the UFC Performance Institute. Mokaev had to be separated from Kape at the UFC ceremonial weigh-ins and prior to their fight at UFC 304, nearly coming to blows before the bell even rang.
Erceg Says Mokaev’s Last Fight Was “Super Disappointing
As for the official fight itself, not everybody was pleased that Mokaev and Kape went the distance after all of this build-up… certainly not fellow flyweight contender Steve Erceg.
“I thought it was super disappointing in the fact that they had to be separated all week and in the cage and then they, when they fought there was a lot of fainting and there was not that much actual fighting,” Erceg told Middle Easy, when asked about Mokaev vs. Kape. “That was disappointing. I thought Mokaev’s kicks looked good, obviously his wrestling looked pretty good. Kape’s wrestling defense looked amazing. It just not what I expected from the fight.”
Erceg Hopes Mokaev Learns From His Mistakes: “You Can’t Go Around… Jumping Other Fighters”
Following the unanimous decision win over Kape, Mokaev said the UFC had told him before the fight to change up his wrestling-heavy style which he’s used to get his hand raised time and time again. Dana White said the UFC matchmakers aren’t a fan of his but says “it’s a lot more than just that” when it comes to Mokaev.
Whatever the reasons may be for Mokaev’s release, Erceg believes it sets a precedent for other fighters not to follow in the 24 year-old’s footsteps – especially behind-the-scenes.
“I was very surprised,” Erceg said of the UFC deciding not to re-sign Mokaev. “But, I think it’s like a cool little precedent to set. You can’t go around, not only start fights, jumping other fighters, like if he did it one-to-one like face-to-face, it’s like one thing, like you probably shouldn’t do it before a fight anyways, jeopardize the fight, but more understandable. But, like getting a photo and then sucker punching him and getting your team in, that’s like unacceptable. It’s coward mentality, I think.
“And then the way he treats people, I don’t know if fans get to see it, but I know he just seems like he’s a little entitled and thinks he’s very important, which I don’t particularly like. And obviously the UFC didn’t like, so hopefully he grows from here and learns a lesson.”
Erceg continued.
“I saw it when I fought on the same card as him [in February],” Erceg said of Mokaev’s behavior. “Just the way he was treating the nutrition team and that sort of thing from the UFC and just like little things just like disrespectful that yeah, I thought was odd. But, he’s a young kid. Hopefully he’ll learn from this moment, I guess.”
Prediction For Next Fight
As for his own upcoming fight, “AstroBoy” will be taking on perennial contender Kai Kara-France in the co-main event of UFC 305 later this month.
“I imagine we’re both gonna try knock each other’s head off, so I’m going for the knockout, he’s gonna be going for the knockout and it’s gonna be a much more exciting fight than the Mokaev-Kape fight,” Erceg predicted.
Erceg On Belal Muhammad’s Title Win
Steve Erceg looks to rebound from his first title fight and main event in which he lost a close decision to champ Alexandre Pantoja. Speaking of title attempts, Belal Muhammad broke through on his first try at UFC 304, defeating Leon Edwards in a dominant decision to become the new UFC Welterweight Champion of the world.
“I thought he fought really well,” Erceg said of Muhammad’s performance last weekend. “He didn’t show respect to Leon Edwards striking, he sort of got in his face, landed some nice hands, and then yeah, went to the grappling and looked good there. I don’t think, despite his claims that he has Canelo-esque boxing, but it did look much improved.”
