Insider DMs point at shocking reason for Muhammad Mokaev's UFC exit and it allegedly wasn't the Manel Kape brawl

Muhammad Mokaev has had a rollercoaster of a week. The mercurial flyweight contender defeated Manel Kape at UFC 304 via unanimous decision, moving to a perfect 7-0 record in the UFC octagon. However, he has reportedly fought out his contract and will not be re-signed to the promotion. While many blamed his wrestling-heavy style for him getting cut, recent insider DMs tell a different story.

After Mokaev's victory over Kape last weekend, White addressed the media during a post-event press conference and spoke about the 24-year-old's future in the promotion. He bluntly stated that Mokaev won't be stepping into the octagon again and said, "I think the PFL’s going to get a great undefeated guy." White also mentioned that UFC matchmakers weren't happy with Mokaev.

While many speculated that Mokaev's grappling-heavy style was to blame, others pointed to his ugly pre-fight scuffle with Kape at the fighter hotel before the UFC 304 event. However, popular MMA personality Ben Davis recently revealed some intriguing DMs from an insider that could potentially explain Mokaev's UFC exit.

In a YouTube video, Davies spoke about receiving DMs from an anonymous source. Posting screenshots of their text conversation, Davies revealed that Mokaev may have tried to use PFL's interest in him as leverage to negotiate a more lucrative deal with the UFC.

The UFC allegedly found out about Mokaev talking to a rival MMA promotion and decided he couldn't be re-signed despite his perfect record. The DMs read:

"Essentially, he was trying to use the number from PFL as leverage. That caused the UFC to say, "F**k that, go to the PFL."

Check out the DMs Ben Davis received below:

Screenshot from @benthebanedavies on YouTube

Watch Ben Davis addressing the insider DMs below (39:45):

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Former UFC star weighs in on Muhammad Mokaev leaving the UFC

Former UFC fighter Zac Pauga recently shared his thoughts on Muhammad Mokaev not being offered a new contract from the promotion and claimed the 24-year-old's exit had "nothing to do with his fighting style" whatsoever.

After news broke that Mokaev wouldn't be returning to the UFC, Pauga took to social media to post a somewhat cryptic message on the topic. In an X post, he urged fans to read between the lines and wrote:

"Like I said in getting tired of being the “inside guy”. Just know that Mokaev being released had nothing to do with his fighting style, the fact that he has all these accolades and they are willing to let him walk should tell you something."