‘You put yourself in this position’

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.

“It is what it is,” White told MMA Junkie and other reporters Tuesday after Dana White White’s Contender Series 67. “I always say this, that this is an opportunity to be here and to perform in front of the entire world. He’s just a guy that did everything wrong and pissed these guys off. I wasn’t involved in any of the stuff that happened with him.

“But you know, the matchmakers and Hunter (Campbell) were, and they weren’t happy with him. They weren’t happy with the way he acted. They weren’t happy with a lot of things he did and said. I guess you can look back now and regret it, but you did it, and you put yourself in this position.”

Mokaev hinted at a new step already being in place, with a cryptic post on X simply stating “signed.” The 23-year-old hopes he can find his way back to the UFC and realize his dream of becoming champion.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for DWCS 67.