UFC 304 winner gets fired hours after win, MMA pros condemn Paris Olympics: MMA News Roundup

In an odd turn of events, a UFC 304 fighter got the boot despite securing a win. Elsewhere, the MMA community erupted in criticism against the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony.

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Muhammad Mokaev is no longer in the UFC

Dana White announced at the UFC 304 press conference that Muhammad Mokaev's contract is over and he will not be re-signed. Mokaev is 7-0 undefeated in the UFC, having secured his latest win at Saturday's pay-per-view card over Manel Kape.

Despite the win, his future likely lies elsewhere. White said that he isn't popular with the matchmakers, but refused to elaborate on the reasons:

"The matchmakers aren't big fans of his for many different reasons. Not just takedowns. There's a lot of people who shoot takedowns in this business, a lot of guys that fight with that type of style. But it's a lot more than just that. [Mokaev is] not under contract anymore. I think the PFL is gonna get a great, undefeated guy. Good luck to him."

MMA fighters condemn Paris Olympics opening ceremony

The MMA community was not a big fan of the opening ceremony of the ongoing 2024 Paris Olympics. The performance featured a parody of Leonardo da Vinci's 'The Last Supper' portrait of Jesus Christ and his 12 apostles. The performance then proceeded to break into a catwalk featuring drag queens and models paying tribute to Paris' haute couture culture.

Several UFC fighters and professionals spoke up against it, alleging that the show was hurtful to religious sentiments and traditional values.

Islam Makhachev wrote:

"Paris Games is a shame and dark stain on the Olympic movement. We should bring it back to Russia again, to fix everything."

Brendan Schaub wrote:

"Annnnnd I'm out. Lemme know in four years if the Olympics get their sh*t together."

Sean Strickland wrote:

"I don't know [why] everyone is upset with the Olympics. We all know France loves getting on their knees...."

Dana White addresses Belal Muhammad's flag controversy

Belal Muhammad was born and brought up in Chicago, Illinois, but is of Palestinian descent and is often seen with the country's flag. He has also been outspoken about the ongoing war with Israel.

Muhammad walked out with the Palestinian flag at UFC 304, which does not violate the promotion's policies anymore since the lift of the flag ban in late 2023. During the post-fight press conference, a reporter claimed that UFC officials asked Muhammad's corner to take the flag down from the octagon's fence and asked Dana White to weigh in.

White, however, said he was unaware of the incident and brushed it off:

"I have no idea. I get what you're trying to do. But I have no idea. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know what you're trying to do... You guys love to do that sh*t."

New update on Gina Carano-Disney lawsuit

Gina Carano's lawsuit against Disney will likely go to trial unless both parties come to terms on an off-court settlement. The former MMA star had sued the media giant for her firing from The Mandalorian in 2021 over questionable comments about the Jewish Holocaust.

The lawsuit, which is backed by Elon Musk, appears set to move forward now after a federal judge refused to dismiss it based on Disney's statement. The company argued that they have a First Amendment right to "choose employees who properly convey their values, even when those choices would otherwise violate state anti-discrimination laws," said The Hollywood Reporter.

No more special UFC bonuses

Dana White is disappointed with the UFC 304 fighters for showing no extra effort to get knockouts or submissions and earn the promised $100,000 bonus announced at the pre-fight press conference.

Speaking on the matter after the event, White said that he would no longer oblige any requests for upping the bonuses:

"I think tonight’s show that we should not. Upping them doesn’t change anything. It doesn’t make anybody fight any harder. It doesn’t change anything. I’m not doing this again. Ever... You can thank everybody on this card for that. Nobody fought any harder. There was no sense of urgency."

Find out which fighters earned the bonus money at UFC 304 here.