- Muhammad Mokaev begs the UFC to re-sign him
- The PFL confirmed they are not keen on signing “The Punisher”
Muhammad Mokaev is willing to fight for free just to convince the UFC to re-sign him as PFL refuses to add him to their company.
Mokaev wants to stay
Following his lackluster performance against Manel Kape at UFC 304, “The Punisher” is now pleading for the UFC to keep him in its roster. This request came shortly after UFC president Dana White confirmed that Mokaev will no longer be with the UFC and could probably sign with PFL.
Mokaev was also involved in a hotel brawl ahead of the fight which evidently did not sit well with the UFC brass. To redeem himself, Mokaev went as far as swearing to fight for free in his next fight if the UFC decides to retain him.
“I said to Hunter Campbell, whatever I’ve done at the hotel, I’m ready to pay for that and fight my next fight in the UFC for free. Whatever trouble I made, I think it’s unprofessional, but it’s something that was in my heart for a long time, I have to get rid of it and I think I’ve took a big lesson here. I want to come back to UFC and hopefully I will be back,” Mokaev told MMA Junkie.
https://x.com/Home_of_Fight/status/1819822026296578127
Aljo backs Mokaev
Indeed, Mokaev showed humility with what he just said, considering he is undefeated and is one of the top flyweight fighters in the world. However, some online fans still had negative things to say about “The Punisher,” prompting, former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling to defend him.
“Reading a lot of these comments shaming Mokaev, but here’s some fighter prospective:
– No other promotion is paying him what he’s making in the UFC rn.
– Not many high level promotions have the 125 division.
– He shot himself in the foot with his actions and is trying to find a way to make it right at the expense of pride,” Sterling wrote on X.
Reading a lot of these comments shaming Mokaev, but here’s some fighter prospective:
– No other promotion is paying him what he’s making in the UFC rn.
– Not many high level promotions have the 125 division.
– He shot himself in the foot with his actions and is trying to find a… https://t.co/MMUGYrlkfi— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) August 3, 2024
PFL doesn’t want Mokaev
As for the PFL, it became clear that Mokaev is not welcomed to the company. PFL president Ray Sefo confirmed to the media that they don’t want anything to do with “The Punisher” after learning that he is a problem to deal with.
“No. Actually, I’ve spoken to people in the know and, apparently, he’s just a pain in the ass to deal with. So, no, we’re not interested,” Sefo said in a presser.
Mokaev quickly hit back and claimed that the PFL is just salty because he turned down their offers in the past.
“Of course you gonna say this.. I never accepted you deals Nice move,” Mokaev wrote.
“Don’t worry about that bro. I’m already in talk,” he added.
https://x.com/muhammadmokaev/status/1819608256085397646
Don’t worry about that bro. I’m already in talk ..
— Muhammad Mokaev (@muhammadmokaev) August 3, 2024
It is yet to know what lies ahead of Mokaev and the UFC. Nevertheless, “The Punisher” still holds an unbeaten record of 13-0-1 as a pro.
