Mokaev Claims UFC Threatens Wrestlers With Release

Muhammad Mokaev says the UFC is telling fighters to abandon wrestling-based approaches or risk losing their roster spots.

The unbeaten flyweight, whose own contract was not renewed after a July 2024 win over Manel Kape, posted on social media that some athletes have received phone calls from UFC executives warning them about their grappling-heavy styles. Mokaev questioned whether such pressure crosses ethical boundaries in competition.

Mokaev Questions UFC's Treatment Of Departing Fighters

The comments followed the recent departure of bantamweight Farid Basharat, who completed his UFC contract with a 7-0 promotional record and was not offered a new deal. UFC chief executive Dana White suggested difficulties with matchmakers or declined bouts could explain some contract non-renewals, though he did not cite a specific incident involving Basharat.

"When fighters are getting phone calls from bosses telling them, 'If you keep wrestling like that, you're going to get cut,' then you're basically telling fighters how you want them to fight," Mokaev wrote on X, as reported by Sherdog. "At what point does that cross the line? Isn't that influencing the competition?"

Mokaev also criticized the promotion for publicly questioning the professionalism of departing athletes. He argued that claims a fighter was "hard to deal with" can damage reputations and hurt prospects with other organizations.

The 23-year-old has gone 4-0 since leaving the UFC, maintaining his unblemished record at 17-0 with one no-contest. Basharat remains undefeated at 16-0 and is exploring options outside the promotion.

Reported via:

• Sherdog — Muhammad Mokaev claims UFC threatens to cut fighters for wrestling