After a lackluster UFC 304 event, UFC CEO Dana White made a surprising announcement regarding undefeated fighter Mohammed Mokaev. During the post-event press conference, White revealed that Mokaev, who won his bout against Manel Kape, would not be re-signed by the UFC.

Mokaev, a 23-year-old fighter from Dagestan, had earlier indicated that his fight on Saturday was the last on his current contract. When asked about Mokaev’s future with the UFC, White bluntly stated, “I think the PFL is gonna get a great undefeated guy.” This comment not only confirmed Mokaev’s departure but also subtly criticized both the fighter’s performance and the UFC’s competitor, the Professional Fighters League (PFL).

The UFC 304 card was marked by several uneventful fights, including the Mokaev-Kape bout, which failed to deliver the expected excitement despite the pre-fight animosity between the fighters. The fight, although a victory for Mokaev, was one of the least action-packed of the night, further justifying the UFC’s decision to let him go.

White’s dismissal of Mokaev comes at a time when the UFC’s flyweight division is in flux. With current champion Alexandre Pantoja having defeated most contenders and Amir Albazi recovering from a severe neck injury, the division’s future rests on rising stars like undefeated Japanese contender Tatsuro Taira. Taira, with a 16-0 record, is seen as a potential future champion, which may have influenced the UFC’s decision to part ways with Mokaev.

In his statement, White’s strategic comments highlighted the UFC’s confidence in their roster and subtly undermined the PFL. As the UFC moves forward, the focus will likely shift to nurturing new talent like Taira to keep the flyweight division competitive and exciting.