Muhammad Mokaev clinched victory in his final UFC fight against Manel Kape. The Dagestan-born wizard still has that zero in his record. Does that mean Dana White is considering keeping him on the roster? Well, the UFC CEO has made up his decision about ‘The Punisher’, and that has shattered all expectations lightweight champion Islam Makhachev had for Mokaev.

There is this connection between the people of Dagestan, who love to back each other and extend support. Hence, there was no reason why Islam Makhachev wouldn’t give a shout-out to Muhammad Mokaev, who’s now 13-0. But besides Dana sealing the 23-year-old’s fate, Manel Kape laid down some heavy accusations on the Dagestan-born flyweight regarding their fight.

Dana White bids adieu to Muhammad Mokaev while Manel Kape cries foul

A unanimous decision victory was all Muhammad Mokaev needed to add a 13th consecutive MMA win. Lightweight champion Islam Makhachev was ecstatic back home. Right after Mokaev’s win, Khabib Nurmagomedov‘s protégé congratulated the 23-year-old on Instagram. He even envisioned him fighting for the top prize soon. On his Instagram story, he wrote, “Congrats. close to the title.” As the champion fighter he is, Makhachev also showed true sportsmanship with a message of motivation for Manel Kape as well: “[Manel Kape] keep your head upon, champ.” But all those title hopes for Mokaev came crashing down when reality sunk in.

A reporter asked Dana White if he wanted to retain Mokaev in the UFC. But the reply wasn’t an expected one. Despite a commanding triumph, the UFC CEO had bad news. The matchmakers are hesitant to offer a new contract to Muhammad Mokaev. Rather, he believes the fighter would be in a better place if rival promotions could claim his signature. “I think the PFL is gonna get a great undefeated guy. Good luck to him,” said the UFC CEO during the post-fight presser.

Manel Kape, on the other hand, wasn’t a happy customer at the end of UFC 304. However, it wasn’t the loss that affected him as much as Muhammad Mokaev’s antics during the fight. The Portuguese star claimed that the outgoing UFC prospect had made use of illegal moves during the fight. Pulling of fight gear, eye poking, and groin kicks, all these things came into play, as per Kape’s claims.

“I definitely won this fight , that pull of the shorts deserved to be removed the point, two fingers in the eyes, 3 kicks in b*lls … Anyway, It was not the best performance, I apologize for those who expected the best from me but only Allah knows. Alhamdulillah for everything,” tweeted ‘Starboy’. He may never get the chance to have his revenge in the Octagon against Mokaev now that he’s no more in the promotion. Despite the cheating accusations, the Dagestan-born fighter did end his UFC run with a kind gesture.

A moment of sportsmanship from Muhammad Mokaev in his last UFC fight

The most heated situation that happened in the build-up to the UFC 304 PPV was Manel Kape and Muhammad Moakev’s hotel brawl. The heat between the two took shape back when Manel Kape allegedly beat up the 23-year-old at the UFC’s Performance Institute. Even the crowd at the Co-op Live arena got to witness how heated the rivalry had become when they almost got into another brawl before their fight. However, after the decision was made by the judges, Mokaev embraced a dejected Kape.

“Give please, clap to Manel Kape,” said Muhammad Mokaev during his Octagon interview. He would even ask the fans if he deserved to get re-signed by Dana White and Co. The response was rather timid because the 23-year-old also wanted to fight Alexandre Pantoja for the 125-pound gold. Unfortunately, that will not happen, at least, at this stage in his career.

Muhammad Mokaev is still a young prospect with an impressive record, and there’s no reason why the PFL or promotions like Japan’s Rizin FF would not seek to sign him up. Moreover, there’s always a chance that he will come back to the UFC. We’ll have to wait and see how his career pans out.