UFC 304: Muhammad Mokaev motivated by bad blood build-up to defeat Manel Kape - ‘It was more personal’
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Updated 28/07/2024 at 07:09 GMT+1
After his victory at UFC 304 in Manchester, flyweight Muhammad Mokaev revealed that his bout with Manel Kape was "more personal." The pair clashed on several occasions prior to the fight but appeared to settle their differences after Mokaev achieved a unanimous decision victory, extending his unbeaten run to 15 successive wins.
‘It was more personal’ – Mokaev reflects on UFC 304 win over Kape
Video credit: TNT Sports
British flyweight Muhammad Mokaev said his fight against Manel Kape was "personal" after he continued his winning streak at UFC 304 in Manchester on Sunday morning.
The victory was the 23-year-old's seventh in the UFC and the 15th in his professional career, which remains unblemished.
Ahead of the fight, the pair clashed on several occasions, including during fight week in the fighter hotel, where the teams of both men exchanged blows during a brawl.
And speaking after his victory, Mokaev has shed some light into the cause of the bad blood between the pair.
“It was more personal. It happened in [Las] Vegas five days before my fight against Alex Perez, I had a cut," he said. "So once he came to Manchester, once I saw him I had to welcome him to Manchester."
After the final horn, the pair seemed to settle their differences and embrace in a show of respect, and the talented Brit confirmed the respect he has for his opponent after the fight.
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'I want a title shot' - Mokaev targets new contract after continuing unbeaten streak
Video credit: TNT Sports
He explained: “I’m happy I struck with the best striker in the UFC flyweight division and I just had this challenge to strike with the best in the world so that people don’t say that I keep shooting.
“The man is here to feed his family, he has a baby and I have a kid in my house, we are both here to make our fridge full. I cannot kick a man when he’s down, I’m young but I’m not stupid."
Despite illegally grabbing Kape's shorts while grappling in the first round, Mokaev's newfound respect for his opponent was also on display during the fight after the Angolan flyweight broke his toe in the second round.
“At first I thought give him time to pull because sportsmanship should always be there but then I thought he was faking it to set up the knee," said Mokaev.
Victory over Kape takes the Wiganer's flawless record to 15-0 and potentially sets up a title fight with current champion Alexandre Pantoja later in the year.
And with his contract now expired following the fight in Manchester, Mokaev is keen to sign a new contract and pursue his goal of becoming champion.
He added: "I hope they give me a new contract. I’m 23-years-old and my dream is to be UFC champion and I don’t see myself in other organisations."
However, speaking after the event, UFC president Dana White suggested that he would not be looking to renew the contract of the unbeaten prospect.
When asked about if he is considering re-signing Mokaev, White bluntly responded: "I think the PFL is going to get a great undefeated guy. Good luck to him."
The Professional Fighters League (PFL) is a rival Mixed Martial Arts organization who have signed fighters such as former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou and YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul.
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