Previously, Muhammad Mokaev from the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s (UFC) division of flyweights, reacted to Steve Erceg’s comments after UFC 305. The two fighters were engaged in an unexpected verbal conflict following the abrupt dismissal of ‘The Punisher’ from UFC. It has been reported that Dana White, the head of UFC, was resolute about letting Mokaev go, notwithstanding his professional victories in the Octagon, citing difficulty in dealing with him. Consequently, UFC decided against renewing his contract.
Erceg shared his perspective on Mokaev’s unexpected departure during a conversation with Middle Easy. He expressed his astonishment at the UFC’s decision to release Mokaev. Nevertheless, he suggested that this could serve as an important example. According to Erceg, it presents a message that fighters cannot resort to inappropriate actions such as instigating fights and assaulting other fighters.
Erceg described that if such fights were conducted in a face-to-face manner, though still unacceptable, they might be seen as more justifiable. However, he highly condemned the act of surprise attacking another fighter and dragging his team into the fight after capturing a photograph with them, terming it as a ‘coward mentality’.
In a twist of events, Mokaev responded to Erceg’s remarks by humorously taunting him subsequent to his recent defeat by TKO against Kai Kara-France. It indicates a continuation of the contentious dynamic between the two fighters.
In the dynamic realm of UFC, Mokaev has proved himself to be a competitive fighter but his relationship with the organization has soured due to his alleged actions off the cage. White had also echoed similar sentiments, stating that the fighting professional had become increasingly challenging to collaborate with, thus propelling the decision to not renew his contract.
While Erceg’s shock at Mokaev’s dismissal resonated with many, he hoped that this decision sets a valuable precedent. He expressed a decisive stance against instigating violence outside the scheduled fights, which aligns with the sport’s principles of fairness and integrity.
Positions as fighters bring a responsibility to exercise restraint and respect towards others in the community. Erceg emphasized that starting personal fights or assaulting other fighters is not just unacceptable but also sets a negative example for the sporting community.
The allegations against Mokaev, as described by Erceg, involve not just launching a surprise attack but also roping his team into the conflict. This, Erceg believes, is indicative of a ‘coward mentality’, showing a lack of sportsmanship and honor.
Erceg and Mokaev’s exchange of words reflects the heightened tension between the two fighters. The spontaneity of Mokaev’s comment on Erceg’s recent loss to Kai Kara-France seems to hint at this ongoing rivalry.
The ultimate irony lies in Mokaev’s jesting response to Erceg, which surfaced after the latter’s defeat against Kai Kara-France. The former UFC flyweight has used this occurrence to his advantage, lightening the tone of the tense situation between the two fighters.