O’Malley ‘surprised’ by UFC’s decision to drop Mokaev

MMA star Sean O’Malley has shared his thoughts on the UFC’s decision not to extend Muhammad Mokaev’s contract.

After defeating Manel Kape at UFC 304, Mokaev said his contract with the promotion was up and that he was optimistic a fresh one could be negotiated.

However, speaking at the post-fight media briefing, CEO Dana White declared that Mokaev would not be part of the UFC’s future.

O’Malley, who holds the UFC bantamweight belt, said that while the decision was “a little bit surprising”, he could see the reasoning behind it.

“It is surprising, though, because he’s 25, and he’s one of the few fighters I can name off the top of my head,” O’Malley told the listeners of his podcast, ‘The BrOMalley Show’.

“He’s 7-0 in the UFC, so it is a little bit surprising.

“But yeah, also, if you’re going to go in there and make the UFC’s life hell for fight week, and then go in there with only four punches thrown in the first round…

“They were separating them in the octagon before the fight even started.

“Then the bell rings, and three punches were thrown in the first round.”

What’s next for Mokaev?

Mokaev has expressed remorse and even proposed fighting without pay if the UFC allows him another opportunity to prove himself.

The Russia-born Englishman, however, indicated his interest in signing with another combat sports organisation as well.

Mokaev dropped a major clue about his future plans by posting a photo of new MMA gloves on X, simply captioned:

“New gloves, same goal.”

PFL executive Mike Kogan has confirmed that ‘the Punisher’ is not on the promotion’s shopping list, so Bellator could be the next destination for Mokaev.

O’Malley faces tough task against Dvalishvili

Top bantamweight contender Merab Dvalishvili will be challenging O’Malley, who is set to defend his belt on September 15 at UFC 306 in Las Vegas.

O’Malley, boasting a 18-1-0-1 record, recently defended his bantamweight title with a unanimous decision victory over Marlon “Chito” Vera in March.

UFC bookmakers have O’Malley at +110 to win the fight.

Dvalishvili, who has a 17-4 record, secured his most recent victory in February with a unanimous decision win over former two-division UFC champion Henry Cejudo.

The Georgian fighter is the favourite at -129.87 with BetOnline.

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