PFL seemingly changes mind about Muhammad Mokaev after previous dismissal: "Could absolutely be the future face of flyweight"
Muhammad Mokaev may very well have found himself a home in the PFL after all, at least if promotional CEO Peter Murray is to be believed. During an exclusive interview with Sherdog, he touched on the possible value Mokaev could bring to the organization if they were to sign him.
While he recognized that the promotion has yet to open a flyweight division, he believes that the unbeaten Dagestani could serve as the flagship fighter of the weight class. Murray even praised the young Dagestani phenom for his success inside the UFC octagon. The PFL CEO said:
"I do think the flyweight category is something we will be getting into in the future. I know our guys are looking at it. You look at fighters like Muhammad Mokaev; he's a 13-0 flyweight from Dagestan. This kid has the second-longest winning streak in UFC flyweight history. He was 23-0 as an amateur. When I look at a kid like that, that's an opportunity."
Murray's opinion of Mokaev in the Sherdog interview is a massive U-turn from PFL president Ray Sefo's previous assertion that the unbeaten flyweight was too difficult to deal with to bother signing him. Murray added:
"Whether it's Muhammad coming into the PFL system in one of our franchises, whether that be the global season or Bellator, and others like him, I think it's a real opportunity—in particular with international talent in the flyweight weight class. Muhammad is the real deal; a lot of respect for him. I believe Muhammad Mokaev could absolutely be the future face of flyweights."
Check out Murray's interview with Sherdog here:
Muhammad Mokaev's PFL connection is what allegedly led to his UFC departure
Muhammad Mokaev's tame performance against Manel Kape at UFC 304, after weeks of animosity in the build up to the fight, didn't win him any fans. Following the fight, it was was also alleged that Mokaev's use of the PFL as leverage in his negotiations with the UFC infuriated the UFC brass.
This was noticeable at the UFC 304 post-fight press conference, when Dana White outright refused to re-sign the unbeaten Dagestani to a new contract, claiming that he could ply his trade in the PFL instead, if he so wishes.
White said:
"I think the PFL is going to get a great undefeated guy. Good luck to him."
Check out Dana White's comments on Muhammad Mokaev here (0:38):
Despite Mokaev's best attempts at getting back into the UFC's good graces, his pleas have fallen on deaf ears.