After a fight card with a ho-hum main event and seven fights that went to a decision, UFC CEO Dana White was not in the best of moods after UFC 304, and Muhammed Mokaev was one of the people who felt his wrath.
The card featured several fights many would classify as boring, including the battle between Muhammad Mokaev and Manel Kape.
Mokaev told reporters earlier in the day that Saturday’s fight was the last one on his current contract, and he didn’t know if he’d be re-signed. Dana White was asked if Mokaev would be back with the UFC, and the former responded, “I think the PFL is gonna get a great undefeated guy.”
Here is a look at the clip from the post-UFC 3-4 presser:
The layers of that back-handed comment are amazing and hilarious to break down.
After devaluing Mokaev because of his fighting style and reported prickliness to do business with, White declined interest in re-signing the 23-year-old from Dagestan while essentially handing him over to the No. 2 MMA promotion in the world.
The PFL mention was a clear and likely purposeful comment that calls out the inferior roster of the UFC’s competitor.
Love him or hate him, there is no denying Dana White plays chess with every post-event presser, and these short talks are among the most entertaining content in the combat sports world.
After Mokaev’s performance on Saturday night–though he won–there probably won’t be many fans arguing with the UFC’s decision to part ways with him.