Muhammad Mokaev blames TKO & Paramount, not Dana White, for UFC exits
· Yahoo Sports
Muhammad
Mokaev blames TKO and Paramount for recent
Ultimate Fighting Championship roster decisions rather than CEO
Dana
White.
The UFC has faced criticism for declining to renew contracts for fighters on winning streaks. Mokaev, who left the promotion under similar circumstances, believes its parent company and broadcast partner are responsible for the recent departures.
Mokaev left the UFC more than two years ago. More recently, Michael Page and Farid Basharat were not offered new deals despite promotional records of 5-1 and 7-0, respectively. White’s comments about Basharat’s departure prompted Mokaev’s response.
At the UFC Edmonton postfight news conference, White suggested that difficulties with matchmakers or declined fights could explain why an unbeaten fighter was not re-signed, without identifying a specific incident involving Basharat. Mokaev rejected that explanation and instead blamed TKO and Paramount.
“They can’t give a reason. Only thing they gotta say is ‘the matchmakers can’t deal with him.’ Total bullsh*t answer. Still I don’t blame Dana, I blame Paramount and TKO,” Mokaev wrote on X.
Mokaev completed his UFC contract with a victory over Manel Kape in July 2024, improving to 7-0 in the promotion before it declined to re-sign him. White cited behind-the-scenes issues at the time, while Mokaev said matchmakers had warned him about his grappling-heavy style.
The UFC has faced criticism for declining to renew contracts for fighters on winning streaks. Mokaev, who left the promotion under similar circumstances, believes its parent company and broadcast partner are responsible for the recent departures.
Muhammad Mokaev rejects Dana White's explanation after Farid Basharat's UFC departure
Mokaev left the UFC more than two years ago. More recently, Michael Page and Farid Basharat were not offered new deals despite promotional records of 5-1 and 7-0, respectively. White’s comments about Basharat’s departure prompted Mokaev’s response.
At the UFC Edmonton postfight news conference, White suggested that difficulties with matchmakers or declined fights could explain why an unbeaten fighter was not re-signed, without identifying a specific incident involving Basharat. Mokaev rejected that explanation and instead blamed TKO and Paramount.
“They can’t give a reason. Only thing they gotta say is ‘the matchmakers can’t deal with him.’ Total bullsh*t answer. Still I don’t blame Dana, I blame Paramount and TKO,” Mokaev wrote on X.
Mokaev completed his UFC contract with a victory over Manel Kape in July 2024, improving to 7-0 in the promotion before it declined to re-sign him. White cited behind-the-scenes issues at the time, while Mokaev said matchmakers had warned him about his grappling-heavy style.
They can’t give a reason Only thing they gotta say is “the matchmakers can’t deal with him” Total bulsh*t answer Still I don’t blame Dana , I blame paramount and tko— Muhammad Mokaev (@muhammadmokaev) October 18, 2026
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