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Sean O’Malley not too long ago weighed in on the UFC’s determination to launch Muhammad Mokaev following his battle with Manel Kape at UFC 304.
Mokaev managed to safe a unanimous determination victory over Kape final month in a bout that was fraught with hassle from the beginning. The strain between the 2 flyweights started on the lodge, the place they engaged in a heated altercation. “The Punisher” later confessed to instigating the conflict by sucker-punching Kape. Their animosity continued to flare up, with the pair almost coming to blows at a number of media occasions in the course of the battle week.
After defeating Kape, Mokaev revealed that his UFC contract had come to an finish and expressed optimism for a renewal. Nonetheless, in the course of the UFC 304 post-event presser, UFC CEO Dana White announced that the undefeated Russian would not be offered a new deal and would as an alternative be launched from the promotion.
White clarified that it wasn’t Mokaev’s efficiency or combating fashion that led to the choice however moderately a collection of off-the-Octagon points that made the matchmakers hesitant to increase one other contract supply.
Mokaev admitted that his conduct was met with disapproval and issued a public apology to the UFC by way of a collection of posts on X. Regardless of his contrition, White and the group held agency of their determination, and he has now been faraway from the official flyweight rankings.
“Sugar” speculates {that a} main cause behind Mokaev’s elimination from the UFC may need been his seemingly lackluster efficiency towards Kape…
O’Malley Finds Mokaev’s Launch ‘A Bit Shocking’
Throughout a current episode of the TimboSugarShow, O’Malley and his coach, Tim Welch, mentioned Mokaev’s elimination from the UFC roster. The reigning UFC bantamweight champion admitted that he discovered it a bit surprising {that a} younger, undefeated prospect was launched.
Nonetheless, he speculated that Mokaev’s antics and underwhelming efficiency within the cage may need performed a big function within the determination.
“It’s shocking, although, as a result of he’s 25 [years old], and he’s one of many few fighters I can identify off the highest of my head,” O’Malley stated. “He’s 7-0 within the UFC, so it’s a little bit shocking. However yeah, additionally, in the event you’re going to go in there and make the UFC’s life hell for battle week, after which go in there with solely 4 punches thrown within the first spherical—they have been separating them within the Octagon earlier than the battle even began. Then the bell rings, and three punches have been thrown within the first spherical.”
Mokaev not too long ago claimed that he has already made amends for his previous errors and even provided to battle free of charge if the UFC offers him one other shot at redemption.
Nonetheless, “The Punisher” quickly hinted that he was already in discussions with one other promotion about becoming a member of their ranks. Lately, he dropped one other clue, suggesting that he has officially signed on, posting an image on X of a new pair of MMA gloves with the caption: “New gloves, similar aim.”
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