Steve Erceg recently supported the UFC's decision not to extend Muhammad Mokaev's contract, highlighting his alleged misconduct towards staff as a justified move.
Mokaev secured a unanimous decision victory over Manel Kape at UFC 304 last weekend in a bout marred by turmoil. The drama began at the hotel, where both fighters engaged in a heated altercation. "The Punisher" later confessed to initiating the scuffle by sucker-punching Kape. Tensions ran high as the two nearly clashed at several media events leading up to their bout.
After his triumph over Kape, Mokaev announced the completion of his UFC contract and expressed hopes for a new deal. However, at the UFC 304 post-event press conference, UFC CEO Dana White responded to Mokaev’s statements, revealing that the undefeated flyweight would not receive a new contract offer.
White conceded that Mokaev might not be the most captivating fighter on the roster but hinted that the 24-year-old Russian-born Englishman’s complications with the UFC go well beyond his fighting style in the Octagon.
The UFC's decision not to re-sign "The Punisher" sparked speculation that he had initiated talks with the PFL prior to the contract's conclusion. However, these rumors were swiftly quashed by Mokaev's manager, Tim Simpson, who firmly denied any such negotiations had taken place.
"Astroboy" believes that the MMA promotion severed ties with Mokaev due to his inappropriate behavior towards staff and fighters alike…
During a recent interview with MMA journalist James Lynch, Erceg discussed Mokaev's departure from the UFC, attributing the decision to "The Punisher's" disruptive behavior. The Aussie remarked that Mokaev's antics were a driving force behind the release and praised the organization for establishing a standard to serve as a cautionary example.
I was very surprised, but I think it's a cool little precedent to set," Erceg said. "You can't go around starting fights and jumping other fighters. Getting a photo and then sucker-punching him [Kape] is unacceptable. It's a coward mentality, I think. The way he treats people, I don't know if fans get to see it, but he just seems like he's a little entitled and thinks he's very important, which I don't particularly like, and obviously, the UFC didn't like.
"Astroboy" further revealed that he shared a UFC Fight Night card with Mokaev this past March. During that time, he observed the Manchester native exhibiting poor conduct toward the UFC personnel.
I saw it when I fought on the same card as him, just the way he was treating the nutrition team and that sort of thing from the UFC. Just little things that are disrespectful. I thought it was odd, but he's a young kid. Hopefully, he'll learn from this moment.
It seems that Mokaev is indeed out of the UFC for now, as he was recently removed from the organization's rankings in their latest update.
However, with a promising career ahead and an impressive undefeated record, Mokaev's considerable skillset is likely to attract plenty of interest from other promotions.
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