Ultimate Fighting Championship unfairly harms fighters’ careers.
The UFC has drawn criticism for refusing to renew the contracts of fighters on a winning streak. Mokaev claims some athletes have been warned to change their wrestling style or risk losing their roster, 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’s exit
Farid Basharat (16-0) was recently out of contract and was not offered a new deal despite going 7-0 in the promotion. UFC CEO
Dana White suggested that difficulties with suitors or rejected fights could explain such departures without identifying a specific case involving Basharat. Mokaev believes that these comments could damage the image and prospects of fighters after leaving the UFC.
The former UFC fighter questioned whether warnings about fighting styles are unfairly influencing competition. He also called for promotion to avoid disparaging statements about departing athletes.
“When fighters get phone calls from bosses telling them, ‘If you wrestle like this, you’re going to get cut,’ you’re basically telling fighters how you want them to fight. At what point does that cross the line?” Mokaev posted on X. “Doesn’t that affect the competition? And if you want to release a fighter, fine. But don’t publicly say that he was hard to deal with, and don’t create some silly narrative about him that might damage his reputation and make other organizations reconsider signing him. Release fighters if you want to. Just don’t try to damage their careers.”
Mokaev (17-0, 1 NC) left the UFC after the promotion refused to renew his contract following the win. Manel Cape
in July 2024. The undefeated former UFC flyweight has since earned four wins outside of the organization.
When fighters get phone calls from bosses saying, “If you wrestle like this, you’re going to get beat,” you’re basically telling the fighters how you want them to wrestle. At what point does it cross the line? Doesn’t it affect competition? And if you want to release the fighter, fine. But then don’t publicly say that he was hard to deal with or create some kind of silly narrative about him that could damage his reputation and make other organizations reconsider signing him. Free the fighters if you want. Just don’t try to damage your career
— Muhammad Mokaev (@muhammadmokaev)
October 20, 2026
