Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall says “it’s a disgrace” that flyweight contender Muhammad Mokaev was just lately let go.
Mokaev made the stroll late final month on the UFC 304 pay-per-view along with his sights set on securing a primary shot at gold on blended martial arts’ greatest stage. As an alternative, he departed the cage with out a spot on the roster anymore.
Whereas the precise cause for the promotion not re-signing him stays undisclosed, UFC CEO Dana White insisted it had nothing to do along with his preventing model, which got here into query once more following a lackluster resolution win over Manel Kape in Manchester.
With that, most have concluded that antics away from the cage had been answerable for his launch, and UFC 304 struggle week definitely wasn’t quick on them. “The Punisher” most notably admitted to sucker-punching his opponent on the fighter resort.
If that was among the many main causes for the UFC not re-signing Mokaev, one other victor from the July 27 PPV doesn’t suppose his fellow Brit has been handled pretty…
Aspinall On Mokaev’s UFC Exit: ‘It’s A Disgrace’
Throughout a current interview with former boxing champion Carl Froch, Aspinall was requested for his tackle the state of affairs surrounding Mokaev, whom he’s identified for the reason that flyweight was a teenager.
Like some within the MMA area, the interim heavyweight champ pointed to quite a few big-name fighters who’ve had altercations and incidents outdoors the Octagon, suggesting it’s “unfair” for Mokaev to be punished whereas others obtained away scot-free.
“Muhammad Mokaev’s a lad I’ve identified since he was 12 years previous. … Him and his opponent (Kape) had numerous beef beforehand; they had been scrapping within the resort earlier than…and I heard some tales about kicking one another’s resort rooms once they’re making an attempt to sleep,” Aspinall mentioned. “The UFC kicked him out. They don’t wanna re-sign him due to what’s gone on.
“I feel it’s unfair. … This has occurred earlier than, all this beef within the resort and on the weigh-ins, and all the remainder of it,” Aspinall continued. “It’s not the primary time, so I feel it’s a bit unfair on him to kick him out indefinitely. However on the finish of the day, I’m not the boss of the UFC, so it’s obtained nothing to do with me. … I feel it’s a disgrace, however it’s not likely my name.”
In response to others, nevertheless, there’s possible extra to the story. Certainly one of Muhammad’s flyweight friends, ex-title challenger Steve Erceg, additionally just lately steered that disrespectful conduct towards UFC workers possible performed a component within the promotion’s resolution.
The saga seems removed from over, with Mokaev repeatedly pleading his case on social media and vowing to return to the Octagon. “The Punisher’s” most up-to-date put up concerning his standing got here whereas he attended this previous weekend’s UFC Battle Night time in Abu Dhabi.
