Wigan's Muhammad Mokaev reveals UFC agony - '...wasted two years of my life...'

The 26-year-old - who was born in Dagestan, but moved to Wigan as a refugee at the age of 12, along with his father - was cut from the promotion in the summer of 2024.

Mokaev had just won a unanimous points decision over Manuel Kape at UFC 304 in Manchester to go 7-0, when owner and CEO Dana White dropped the bombshell in the post-event press conference.

Uncertainty remains about whether the decision was based on alleged misbehaviour outside the octagon, or his wrestling-heavy style inside.

While White initially hinted at the former, Mokaev believes it is the latter - and that a huge mistake has been made.

"If we talk about behaviour, right - if I'm a bad guy, why would you let me fight seven fights and renew my contract twice?" Mokaev told BBC Sport. "If I'm a bad guy in the company and organisation, they would cut me after one or two fights."

On his style of grappling, Mokaev said: "I have around a 60% finish rate in the UFC. Four out of seven fights were finishes against top guys.

"I don't know what else I need to do to show them - I was 21 when I was fighting these veterans and now I'm much better and much stronger.

"From 21 to 23, I beat all these guys. Even Manuel Kape, and he is ranked number two right now. I really don't understand the politics. I really don't know. I wish I knew the full story behind everything.

"They basically wasted two years of my life. That's how I feel right now. I don't think what they are doing is right."

Mokaev has kept himself busy in the last couple of years, winning titles in both BRAVE CF and ACBJJ.

But it's clear he has a huge sense of unfinished business when it comes to UFC.

"The way I'm going to compete and keep winning, eventually they're going to send me there," he added.

"Back then I said, 'the best fight the best.' But it doesn't matter what happens with the situation, I think I'm the best flyweight in the world and I deserve to fight the best.

"I want to stay active because I'm still young. I just turned 26. Most people start their careers at this age. I'm going to do what's best for my family."

After arriving in Wigan in 2012, Mokaev attended the Deanery High School and then St John Rigby, where he played both football and rugby league.

He learned to wrestle at the Wigan Youth Zone, and credits the town for setting him on the path to stardom.

"I started in Wigan and everything I have is all thanks to that place,” said Mokaev, who used to train with Atherton’s Tom Aspinall, who went on to become UFC heavyweight champion.

“Hopefully more kids will be able to see what I did and get off the streets and do the same."