LAS VEGAS – Dana White insists that it’s Muhammad Mokaev who shot himself in the foot.
The UFC refused to re-sign the undefeated flyweight contender after he defeated Manel Kape at UFC 304 in July. The decision came as a surprise, considering Mokaev (13-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) is on the cusp of a title shot.
The reason behind the UFC’s decision on Mokaev remains unclear, with White continuing to refer to it as “behind the scenes” issues, not Mokaev’s fighting style. Mokaev and Kape were involved in a heated build-up for their fight, getting into altercations at the UFC Performance Institute, the host hotel during UFC 304 fight week, ceremonial weigh-ins, and even having to be separated during their in-cage introductions.
