PFL CEO believes Muhammad Mokaev could be the future of new PFL weight division despite promoters comments
22/08/2024 14:19
PFL CEO Peter Murray believes that former UFC flyweight contender Muhammad Mokaev could be the face of a new PFL flyweight division despite comments recently made by Ray Sefo.
After his win over Manel Kape at UFC 304 on July 27, UFC CEO Dana White revealed that the promotion would not be re-signing Muhammad Mokaev as he’d been advised against it by his matchmakers.
Rumours began to circulate that ‘The Punisher’ had began negotiating a contract with the PFL prior to his deal with the UFC running out, however, those rumours aren’t believed to be true after his manager, Tim Simpson came out an rejected the claims.
This was further backed up by the fact that PFL promoter, Ray Sefo, blasted Mokaev at a the PFL Nashville post fight press conference, stating that he has no interest in signing the ‘pain in the ass’.
PFL CEO disagrees with Ray Sefo as he claims Mokaev could be future of PFL division
Another reason why rumours of the 24-year-old joining the PFL were believed to be false, is because the promotion doesn’t currently have a 125lb division, and they only have a bantamweight division after acquiring Bellator.
Despite that, PFL CEO Peter Murray has revealed that they plan on making a flyweight division, and he has highlighted Mokaev as a potential ‘opportunity’.
“I do think the flyweight category is something we will be getting into in the future. I know our guys are looking at it,” Murray told Sherdog.
“You look at fighters like Muhammad Mokaev, he’s a 13-0 flyweight from Dagestan. This kid has the second-longest winning streak in UFC flyweight history. He was 23-0 as an amateur. When I look at a kid like that, that’s an opportunity… Muhammad is the real deal, a lot of respect for him,” he continued.
After heaping praise on the 24-year-old, Murray went on to claim that he believes Mokaev could end up being the face of the PFL 125lb division.
“I believe Muhammad Mokaev could absolutely be the future face of flyweights within the Professional Fighters League, should that be a weight class we open up in the Global Season or within our Bellator platform. It’s absolutely something we’re looking at, and this kid (Mokaev) is impressive,” Murray said.
PFL may have missed the boat on Muhammad Mokaev as he teases he’s signed a contract
Although CEO Peter Murray is seemingly excited at the thought of the promotion signing ‘The Punisher’, they may have missed the boat on him, as he has recently been teasing that he has already signed a contract, with many believing it to be with Brave CF.
The 24-year-old has made it clear that his overall goal is still to become a UFC champion, with him hoping that after picking up a few more wins outside of the promotion will earn him a second chance.
