Skip to content

LEAGUES News

PFL president won't pursue Mokaev: 'Pain in the ass to deal with'

Chris Unger / UFC / Getty

The PFL won't attempt to sign undefeated flyweight and former UFC contender Muhammad Mokaev following his split with the UFC.

"I've spoken to people in the know and, apparently, he's just a pain in the ass to deal with," PFL president Ray Sefo said Friday, per MMA Mania. "And so, no, we're not interested."

Mokaev became a free agent after fighting out his contract with the UFC one week ago. He defeated Manel Kape by unanimous decision on the UFC 304 prelims to improve his career record to 13-0 and requested a new contract after the fight.

Despite Mokaev's accolades, UFC CEO Dana White said he wouldn't re-sign the 23-year-old because the matchmakers disliked working with him. White didn't divulge specifically what the issues were.

The Mokaev-Kape bout was widely believed to be a No. 1 contender's fight going in, but the affair lacked action following an intense buildup. Mokaev admitted afterward he baited Kape for a photo in order to sucker-punch him days before their contest. The two reportedly also had an altercation at the UFC Performance Institute before tangling at UFC 304.

The PFL doesn't offer flyweight or bantamweight divisions, though its Bellator brand features a 135-pound weight class that Mokaev could've been a candidate to join.

RELATED NEWS

The building was ready to explode 😯
Jets-Blues needs 2OT after Binnington denies Ehlers on partial break ❌
WITH 1.6 SECONDS TO GO. 🤯 COLE PERFETTI‼️
Perfetti forces OT with 1.6 seconds left on clock 🚨
BACK-TO-BACK BUDDY BUCKETS 🎯🎯 Warriors leading the way in...
Hield drains consecutive treys as part of 22-point 1st half in Game 7 🔥
WHAT A CATCH, NOLAN ARENADO!
Arenado hangs on while tumbling into netting for amazing catch 😱
Austin Riley has gone deep TWICE on #SundayNightBaseball!
Riley crushes 2nd HR of game to extend Braves' lead over Dodgers 💪
VICTOR SCOTT II!!! He shows off the hops to rob Juan Soto o...
Cardinals' Scott gets some air to steal 3-run HR from Soto 😳