The UFC has drawn criticism for declining to renew the contracts of fighters on winning streaks. Mokaev claims some athletes have been warned to change their wrestling-heavy styles or risk losing their roster spots, raising questions about the fairness and competitive implications of such an approach.
Muhammad Mokaev questions UFC wrestling warnings and Dana White's remarks after Farid Basharat exit
Farid Basharat (16-0) recently completed his contract and wasn’t offered a new deal despite going 7-0 in the promotion. UFC CEO Dana White suggested that difficulties with matchmakers or declined fights could explain such departures without identifying a specific incident involving Basharat. Mokaev believes those comments can damage fighters’ reputations and prospects after leaving the UFC.
The former UFC fighter questioned whether warnings about fighting styles improperly influence competition. He also urged the promotion to avoid making disparaging claims about departing athletes.
“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. At what point does that cross the line?” Mokaev posted on X. “Isn’t that influencing the competition? And if you want to release a fighter, fine. But don’t then publicly say he was ‘hard to deal with’ or create some bullsh*t narrative about him that could damage his reputation and make other organizations think twice about signing him. Release fighters if you want. Just don’t try to damage their careers on the way out.”
Mokaev (17-0, 1 NC) left the UFC after the promotion declined to renew his contract following a victory over Manel Kape in July 2024. The unbeaten former UFC flyweight has since earned four victories outside the organization.
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. At what point does that cross the line? Isn’t that influencing the competition? And if you want to release a fighter, fine. But don’t then publicly say he was “hard to deal with” or create some bullshit narrative about him that could damage his reputation and make other organizations think twice about signing him. Release fighters if you want. Just don’t try to damage their careers on the way out— Muhammad Mokaev (@muhammadmokaev) October 20, 2026