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Muhammad Mokaev has been competing in BRAVE Combat Federation since being cut from the UFC. The Dagestani-born Brit recently praised Tom Aspinall for supporting him after his release from the world's premier MMA promotion.
Mokaev and Manel Kape were involved in multiple altercations ahead of their bout at UFC 304, almost putting their fight at the risk of getting canceled. On fight night, the undefeated flyweight beat Kape by unanimous decision but was later released by the organization. UFC CEO Dana White cited the matchmakers not favoring the 24-year-old because of his behavior outside the octagon.
However, Aspinall feels that Mokaev did not deserve to be cut from the roster. In an interview with former British boxer and analyst Carl Froch in August last year, Aspinall called Mokaev's treatment by the UFC "unfair" while claiming to have never seen a fighter getting cut from the company for their behavior.
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'The Punisher' posted a screenshot of the interview and praised the interim UFC heavyweight champion for showing him support:
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"Thank you brother @AspinallMMA. That's why you're champion inside and outside of octagon for me."
Muhammad Mokaev opens up on his alleged talks with the PFL that could have led to his UFC release
Muhammad Mokaev made his debut in the UFC in 2022 and was on a seven-fight win streak in the promotion when he was let go. Multiple reasons were speculated for his departure, including his alleged talks with the PFL.
During a recent interview on The Ariel Helwani Show, the host asked Mokaev about the reason for his departure from the UFC despite his undefeated record. Mokaev responded:
"I really don't know. Maybe there is miscommunication between my team and the UFC, maybe like there's people said, 'he was talking to PFL,' which I never did, maybe somebody did. In PFL there is no flyweight division and being 7-0 and having negotiations with another organization, that must be like the stupid thing ever anyone could do and I believe don't do it from my team."
Check out Muhammad Mokaev's comments below (5:11):
