The UFC community has often accused Dana White of favoring certain fighters and giving them perks others don’t get. But being on White’s bad side can come at a cost — just ask Muhammad Mokaev. In 2024, the undefeated flyweight was allegedly cut from the UFC roster after a backstage incident.
A controversial MMA influencer recently spoke out about the situation, prompting Mokaev to defend himself and make a bold claim about his place in the division.
UFC Fighter Allegedly Removed by Dana White Delivers Rant
The fighter in question is Mokaev, who holds a perfect 13-0 pro-MMA record, including seven wins in the UFC. Known as “The Punisher,” he’s finished four UFC fights via submission.
Mokaev was on a solid run before things unraveled in July 2024. He was set to face Manel Kape on the prelims at UFC 304, but tensions boiled over before fight night. The two reportedly got into a brawl at the hotel during fight week. According to Kape’s coach, Eric Nicksick, Mokaev “sucker-punched” Kape during what started as a friendly conversation.
After UFC 304, Dana White and the UFC cut ties with Mokaev, seemingly as a result of the incident.
The MMA Guru, a polarizing MMA YouTuber, brought up Mokaev’s case during a conversation with former flyweight champ Demetrious Johnson. He claimed White often runs the UFC in a “vindictive” way, saying the promotion should use Mokaev’s heel image rather than ban him for it.
He mentioned how White can re-sign Mokaev and use his bad guy image as a promotional tactic, despite hating him personally.
“I know Dana White doesn’t like Mokaev, but don’t like him while he chases his dreams in the UFC. Don’t [be like], ‘Oh I don’t like him, so I cut him from the fu***** sport.’ If he [Mokaev] is a bad guy backstage, that sounds interesting to me,” said MMA Guru, aka Jack Slack.
Mokaev responded to the comments on his X account, backing Slack’s take and calling for a fight with UFC flyweight champ Alexandre Pantoja.
“You don’t have to love me, I’m not your girl, but you know I’m only guy in that division who can beat Pantoja. Guru for the president,” said Mokaev.
You don’t have to love me I’m not your girl but you know I’m only guy in that division who can beat Pantoja 🥇
Guru for the president @THATBOYMMAGURU pic.twitter.com/VPbi0JqolK— Muhammad Mokaev (@muhammadmokaev)
Only a showdown between Pantoja and Mokaev can settle the score. Whether White re-signs him is anyone’s guess, but it seems unlikely based on the UFC boss’s track record.
However, Mokaev still seems confident in his abilities, and he clearly has some fans in his corner.