Tag: Muhammad Mokaev

Muhammad Mokaev pleaded for new contract, title shot after UFC 304 win … but was it too late?

Muhammad Mokaev is hoping his win over Manel Kape at UFC 304 gets him a new contract and a flyweight title shot.

MANCHESTER, England – [autotag]Muhammad Mokaev[/autotag] is hoping that his efforts on Saturday night turn into a new contract and an opportunity to fight for UFC gold.

Mokaev, who defeated Manel Kape in a unanimous decision at UFC 304, fought out his contract with the promotion as he picked up his seventh consecutive win in the octagon.

“Yes, I want to fight for the belt and I hope the UFC gives me a new contract,” Mokaev told reporters at the UFC 304 post-fight press conference. “My contract is finished with the UFC. I hope to get a new contract. They want exciting fights and I tried to put my striking together. This is the first time in my career that I was standing for three rounds and with the best flyweight striker.”

Although Mokaev (13-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) didn’t put on the most exciting performance against Kape (19-7 MMA, 4-3 UFC), he believes his better days are ahead and promises to evolve into a more fan-friendly style.

“I’m young, still not in my prime,” Mokaev said. “If they want me to stand and bang, toe-to-toe, with this 30-year-old grown man, I have to do what’s best for me.”

Mokaev said the UFC didn’t offer him a new contract in the lead up to Satuday’s event. UFC CEO Dana White commented on the situation following the fight, and didn’t seem keen on re-signing the undefeated contender.

“They said they’re going to see how I perform,” Mokaev said regading not getting an offer in the build up to UFC 304. “They don’t want to see me keep shooting and taking somebody down. I’ve done what I could do tonight.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 304.

Dana White indicates Muhammad Mokaev done in UFC: ‘PFL is going to get a great undefeated guy’

Muhammad Mokaev asked for a UFC title shot, but it sounds like he got a pink slip instead.

MANCHESTER, England – [autotag]Muhammad Mokaev[/autotag] has fought out his contract and will soon be a free agent, but it doesn’t sound like he’ll be back to the UFC, according to [autotag]Dana White[/autotag].

“There was so much bad sh*t that happened behind the scenes with that thing,” White told MMA Junkie and other reporters at a UFC 304 post-fight news conference at Co-op Live. “Yeah, not good.”

Following a lackluster win Saturday, Mokaev (13-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) called for the next flyweight title shot. Instead, it sounds like he may go home with a pink slip instead.

“He’s not under contract anymore,” White said. “I think the PFL is going to get a great undefeated guy.”

He later added, “The stuff that played out here of the past several months that started at the (Performance Institute) and other stories of this breaking out, plus many other things. These guys (UFC matchmakers) don’t want to re-sign him.”

White said it wasn’t Mokaev’s performance or fighting style that tipped the scales, but indicated a string of outside-the-cage issues caused the matchmakers to become averse to another contract offer.

“Yeah, that’s how what we tell guys,” White said, with a sarcastic tone. “We tell guys how to fight and we’ve been doing this for a long f*cking time. I’m sure one of the matchmakers probably said something to him or whatever. Yeah, the matchmakers aren’t big fans of his for many different reasons, and not just takedowns. There are a lot of people who shoot takedowns in this business, a lot of guys who fight with that type of style. But it’s a lot more than just that.”

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The lead-up to Mokaev’s bout vs. Manel Kape (19-7 MMA, 4-3 UFC) was a heated one. The fighters engaged in altercations at the UFC Performance Institute, fight week host hotel, ceremonial weigh-ins stage, and even just prior to the introductions in the cage Saturday. Mokaev defeated Kape by unanimous decision.

Mokaev signed with the UFC in 2022 as a 5-0 professional but began attracting attention as a highly decorated amateur with a 23-0 record. He defeated Cody Durden, Charles Johnson, Malcolm Gordon, Jafel Filho, Tim Elliott, and Alex Perez prior to Saturday’s fight.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 304.

UFC 304 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: Leon Edwards, Tom Aspinall lead with $42,000

Leon Edwards and Tom Aspinall fetched maximum $42,000 payouts under the Promotional Guidelines Compliance for entering UFC 304 with belts.

MANCHESTER, England – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC 304 event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $307,500.

The program, a comprehensive plan that includes outfitting requirements, media obligations and other items under the fighter code of conduct, replaces the previous payments made under the UFC Athlete Outfitting Policy.

UFC 304 took place at Co-op Live. The main card aired on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+.

The full UFC 304 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

* * * *

[autotag]Belal Muhammad[/autotag]: $32,000
def. [autotag]Leon Edwards[/autotag]: $42,000

[autotag]Tom Aspinall[/autotag]: $42,000
def. [autotag]Curtis Blaydes[/autotag]: $32,000

[autotag]Paddy Pimblett[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]King Green[/autotag]: $21,000

[autotag]Gregory Rodrigues[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Christian Leroy Duncan[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Arnold Allen[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Giga Chikadze[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Nathaniel Wood[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Daniel Pineda[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Bruna Brasil[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Molly McCann[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Jake Hadley[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Caolan Loughran[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Muhammad Mokaev[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Manel Kape[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Oban Elliott[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Preston Parsons[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Modestas Bukauskas[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Marcin Prachnio[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Sam Patterson[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Kiefer Crosbie[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Mick Parkin[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Lukasz Brzeski[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Shauna Bannon[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Alice Ardelean[/autotag]: $4,000

Under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program’s payout tiers, which appropriate the money generated by Venum’s multi-year sponsorship with the UFC, fighters are paid based on their total number of UFC bouts, as well as Zuffa-era WEC fights (January 2007 and later) and Zuffa-era Strikeforce bouts (April 2011 and later). Fighters with 1-3 bouts receive $4,000 per appearance; 4-5 bouts get $4,500; 6-10 bouts get $6,000; 11-15 bouts earn $11,000; 16-20 bouts pocket $16,000; and 21 bouts and more get $21,000. Additionally, champions earn $42,000 while title challengers get $32,000.

In addition to experience-based pay, UFC fighters will receive in perpetuity royalty payments amounting to 20-30 percent of any UFC merchandise sold that bears their likeness, according to officials.

Full 2024 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:

Year-to-date total: $4,575,500
2023 total: $8,188,000
2022 total: $8,351,500
2021 total: $6,167,500
Program-to-date total: $27,312,500

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 304.

UFC 304 results: Rivalry fizzles as Muhammad Mokaev beats Manel Kape in lackluster affair

After an intense pre-fight build, Muhammad Mokaev vs. Manel Kape played out strangely.

[autotag]Muhammad Mokaev[/autotag] and [autotag]Manel Kape[/autotag] tried all fight week to get at one another. When finally given the chance Saturday at UFC 304, there was far less willingness to engage.

The flyweight bout was part of the UFC 304 preliminary card at Co-op Live in Manchester, England, and was one of the most anticipated fights on the card, despite it’s demoted placement.

Mokaev (13-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) defeated Kape (19-7 MMA, 4-3 UFC) by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27).

An adversarial build-up stemmed from an altercation the two allegedly engaged in at the UFC Performance Institute. Things got physical and the hotel during fight week, and then both fighters were restrained at ceremonial weigh-ins. Even in the minutes prior to Saturday’s fight, the blood bad was still real as Kape and Mokaev were restrained by an elevated number of security guards who were assigned to the cage for the introductions.

But when it came time for blows to be allowed, the two flyweight contenders were less willing. The first round was largely a staring contest and received a warning from referee Mike Beltran for timidity.

Round 2 was more eventful, but it was less about the action and more about the oddities. Kape suffered a toe injury midway through the frame that caused him to hobble throughout the remainder of the bout. After a takedown by Mokaev, things got heated again – though this time it was between Mokaev and Beltran.

Mokaev got a fistful of Kape’s shorts and nearly removed them all together. The maneuver infuriated Beltran, who called timeout and yelled at Mokaev. Despite the scolding, Beltran did not take a point.

Kape’s toe was examined before the third round, but the physician gave his blessing and the fight continued. Mokaev cruised to a unanimous decision victory, even sweeping all three rounds on one judge’s scorecard.

After the win, Mokaev and Kape embraced. Mokaev called for a title shot. The victory was his seventh in the promotion. Four of those victories came by submission. The other three were by decision.

On the flip side of the equation, Kape has a four-fight winning streak snapped.

Up-to-the-minute UFC 304 results include:

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 304.

Muhammad Mokaev def. Manel Kape at UFC 304: Best photos

Check out the best photos from Muhammad Mokaev’s unanimous decision win over Manel Kape at UFC 304.

Check out the best photos from [autotag]Muhammad Mokaev[/autotag]’s unanimous decision win over [autotag]Manel Kape[/autotag] at UFC 304 at Co-op Live in Manchester, England. (Photos by Ben Roberts, Getty Images; UFC; MMA Junkie)

UFC 304: Eric Nicksick details ‘very weird’ Manel Kape-Muhammad Mokaev hotel altercation

Eric Nicksick explains why the hotel altercation between Manel Kape and Muhammad Mokaev caught him off guard.

MANCHESTER, England – Coach [autotag]Eric Nicksick[/autotag] found himself caught in the middle of [autotag]Manel Kape[/autotag] and [autotag]Muhammad Mokaev[/autotag]’s altercation at the host hotel, and he didn’t see it coming.

Kape (19-6 MMA, 4-2 UFC) faces Mokaev (12-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) on Saturday at UFC 304 from Co-op Live. Tensions have been boiling between the two top-ranked flyweights, who engaged in a brawl at the fighter hotel just days out from their fight. Kape’s coach Nicksick explains that Mokaev set Kape up after initiating conversation in a friendly manner.

“It was a very weird situation,” Nicksick told MMA Junkie. “Because we were all walking back into the hotel and then Mokaev and his team were coming out, they were very peaceful, and Mokaev wanted to take a picture with Manel. He said, ‘For our Muslim brothers, let’s take a picture for peace,’ and Manel agreed to that picture. It just felt weird.

“The whole situation kind of felt weird, but I turned my back to talk to Oban Elliott and then all of a sudden when Manel posed for that picture, Mokaev like sucker punched him. So, this whole thing ensued. It was so confusing for me because I turned around and all of a sudden there’s just commotion behind me.”

Their bad blood spilled over into the ceremonial weigh-ins, where Mokaev charged at Kape before the pair were separated. Nicksick thinks it’s a ploy from Mokaev and his team to throw Kape off his game.

“It’s very smart on the Mokaev team,” Nicksick said. “I feel like what they’re trying to do is get Manel to fight this fight emotionally and to fight out of his tactics in being precise and being accurate with the fight. So, good on them in a way, but we can’t take that bait. We got to fight smart, and that’s what we got to prove tomorrow.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 304.

Video replay: UFC 304 press conference

You can watch a live stream of the UFC 304 press conference in Manchester, England right here on MMA Junkie.

The UFC 304 pre-fight press conference takes place Thursday, and you can watch a live stream of the event in the video above. The press conference takes place at Co-Op Live in Manchester, England, which also hosts Saturday’s fight card.

UFC 304 is built around two title-fight rematches involving British champions as [autotag]Leon Edwards[/autotag] puts his welterweight title on the line in a rematch with [autotag]Belal Muhammad[/autotag], while Tom [autotag]Aspinall[/autotag] and [autotag]Curtis Blaydes[/autotag] run it back for the interim heavyweight belt.

Here’s what you need to know about the UFC 304 press conference.

What time does the UFC 304 press conference start?

The UFC 304 press conference starts at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT, which is 6 p.m. local time in Manchester.

Who’s taking part in the UFC 304 press conference?

Eight fighters from four main-card bouts are slated to participate in the UFC 304 press conference: Edwards, Muhammad, Aspinall, Blaydes, [autotag]Paddy Pimblett[/autotag], [autotag]King Green[/autotag], [autotag]Arnold Allen[/autotag], and [autotag]Giga Chikadze[/autotag]. In addition, ranked flyweights [autotag]Manel Kape[/autotag] and [autotag]Muhammad Mokaev[/autotag] are expected from the early prelims.

UFC CEO Dana White will oversee the UFC 304 press conference.

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 304.

Muhammad Mokaev, Manel Kape’s teams scuffle in Manchester; Coach Eric Nicksick provides account

Muhammad Mokaev and Manel Kape’s teams got into a physical altercation before UFC 304. Coach Eric Nicksick provides detail.

Before they meet inside the octagon at UFC 304, [autotag]Muhammad Mokaev[/autotag] and [autotag]Manel Kape[/autotag]’s teams got into a physical altercation, and Xtreme Couture head coach Eric Nicksick was in the middle of it.

The flyweight matchup between Mokaev (11-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) and Kape (19-6 MMA, 4-2 UFC), which takes place on the prelims of the pay-per-view event at Co-op Live in Manchester, England, on Saturday, is a big one with potential title implications.

Wednesday, members of the opposing teams got physical at the fighter hotel, causing security to quickly intervene. Among them was Kape’s coach Nicksick, who told MMA Junkie that he believes his fighter was set up.

According to Nicksick, Kape was asked to take a photo with Mokaev “for our Muslim brothers.” Kape agreed. The next moment, “Starboy” was attacked by Mokaev’s camp.

A portion of the brawl was captured on video, and is making the rounds on social media (via @Home_of_Fight on X). Nicksick can be seen trying to calm the scene.

Nicksick confirmed nobody was injured in the brief altercation.

Later, Mokaev posted a selfie to his Instagram story with a caption that translates (via Google), “This is how it happens in life. They didn’t teach you how to fight.”

MMA Junkie reached out to Mokaev, but did not receive a response at the time of writing.

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Muhammad Mokaev on UFC 304 fight moving down to prelims: ‘Maybe my style is boring’

Muhammad Mokaev isn’t entirely surprised to see his fight move down to the prelims.

MANCHESTER, England – [autotag]Muhammad Mokaev[/autotag] isn’t entirely surprised to see his fight move down to the prelims.

Mokaev’s (12-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) flyweight bout vs. Manel Kape (19-6 MMA, 4-2 UFC) went from Saturday’s UFC 304 main card (ESPN+ pay-per-view) at Co-op Live to the featured prelim, to further down onto the early prelims.

With their fight being a potential No. 1 contender, many didn’t expect it to be demoted. Mokaev theorizes that the UFC may not be a fan of his fighting style.

“Maybe my style is boring,” Mokaev told reporters, including MMA Junkie, at the UFC 304 media day. “Maybe Manel is 50-50, they’re scared if he makes weight or not, but it doesn’t matter what time to beat him.”

Mokaev expected a title shot after his last win over former title challenger Alex Perez. He envisions the possibility of being passed up again if he doesn’t get the crowd on their feet with a statement performance over Kape.

“If it’s an exciting fight as people want to see, these casuals, if they see an exciting fight, I think everybody is going to talk about I deserve this,” Mokaev said. “But I think I deserve even earlier, but whatever yeah. It doesn’t matter when to fight them, I have to fight them all anyway.”

Mokaev, 23, has been active and willing to fight anyone. However, he learned the hard way that meritocracy doesn’t always mean much when it comes to big opportunities.

“The UFC can do what they want,” Mokaev said. “It’s not about the rankings. When I came to the UFC, I was thinking it’s all about beating ranked guys and it’s not about that. It’s about what they want to see as a champion.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 304.

Manel Kape thinks it’s ‘too early’ for Muhammad Mokaev to go on UFC title run

Manel Kape plans to show Muhammad Mokaev a different level at UFC 304.

MANCHESTER, England – [autotag]Manel Kape[/autotag] plans to show [autotag]Muhammad Mokaev[/autotag] a different level at UFC 304.

Kape (19-6 MMA, 4-2 UFC) takes on Mokaev (12-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) on Saturday’s prelims (pay-per-view, ESPN2, ESPN+) at Co-op Live in Manchester, England.

Mokaev is unbeaten, and has finished four of his six UFC opponents. However, former Rizin champion Kape aims to prove that he’ll be too big of a step up in competition for him.

“I’m going to try to make this quick because I have to put Mokaev in his place,” Kape told reporters, including MMA Junkie, at the UFC 304 media day. “In my opinion, this is too early for him, but we will see. It’s too early. There is levels to this game. He never faced a championship-caliber (fighter) and I see a lot of mistakes in his game – that’s why I say it’s too early for him.”

Kape alleged Mokaev stopped training at American Top Team because UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja was having his way with him in their grappling exchanges.

“Pantoja can say a lot of things about him because they trained before together, and I know Pantoja has been submitting him a lot,” Kape said. “He tapped a lot, and that’s the reason Mokaev doesn’t train at ATT. Actually, he’s been doing a good job.

“He’s been winning all the fights, but there is a lot of mistakes. He’s been struggling a lot – a lot of mistakes that if he faced someone in the top three in the UFC’s flyweight rankings, he’s going to get finished. So it’s going to be fun.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 304.