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“This is not the absolute minimum just to win…”

tabnews August 16, 2024
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Kai Kara-France recently said that Muhammad Mokaev's grappling-centric approach was a key factor in his exit from the UFC.

Mokaev secured a unanimous decision victory over Manel Kape in their heated rematch at UFC 304 last month. The intense rivalry between the two flyweight contenders led to an eventful fight week marked by several ugly confrontations and even a brief physical altercation.

Despite winning his seventh consecutive victory in the Octagon, UFC CEO Dana White announced during the post-fight press conference at UFC 304 that “The Punisher” would not renew his contract.

White clarified that the decision to release Mokaev was not only due to his perceived uninspiring fighting style, but was largely influenced by a series of out-of-competition issues that made matchmakers hesitant to offer him a new contract.

Mokaev acknowledged that his behavior was inappropriate and publicly apologized to the UFC in a series of posts on X. Despite his remorse, and even offering to fight for free, the MMA promotion stuck to its decision, resulting in his removal from the official flyweight rankings.

“Don't Blink,” who is scheduled to co-headline the UFC 305 fight against Steve Erceg this weekend at the RAC Arena in Perth, Western Australia, believes Mokaev's firing is justified…

Kara-France targets Mokaev after UFC clearance: “This is the business of pain”

During UFC 305 media day on Wednesday, Kara-France shared his thoughts on the current state of the UFC flyweight division and his upcoming fight against Erceg. The former interim title challenger stressed that the division is completely open and a title shot is up for grabs for anyone who puts in a strong performance against quality opponents.

“It's a fun time for flyweights, especially as contenders, because everything is open – anyone can beat anyone and anyone can get a title shot,” said Kara-France. “When I told my coach Eugene, [Bareman] and my manager Ash [Ashley Belcastro] I want to fight on that Perth card. Steve's name came up and we knew straight away that was the fight we had to take. We want to fight the guys that have just fought for the belt and so I brought it back to fighting for a world title – take him out in his home town and see whoever the champion is when it's time to go, that's the clear way to go.”

Don't Blink further commented on Mokaev's exit from the UFC, saying it was largely due to his fighting style. He stressed that MMA isn't just about winning – it's about putting on a show. Fans and the promotion want to see fighters who are willing to give it their all in the Octagon and truly entertain.

“There were a lot of guys that made it and did really well. Mokaev is a guy that obviously wanted to win, but this isn't wrestling, this isn't grappling, this isn't doing the bare minimum just to win – this is an entertainment sport, this is a pain business. When you're not there to entertain and put it all on the line, people want to see that heart, that courage, that willingness to give it your all and get the knockout. Or not just the knockout, but to go in there and show why you should be co-headlining, not just in the prelims. That's why Steve and I are in this position, because that's what we do – we go out there and fight, not just talk about it and build it up.”

Kara-France returns to the Octagon after a year-long hiatus following controversial split decision losses to Amir Albazi in June 2023. The 31-year-old New Zealander is currently on a two-fight losing streak, including a TKO loss to Brendon Moreno during their interim title fight at UFC 277 in July 2022.

“Don't Blink” is desperate to turn his fortunes around and regain his place in the title fight with a decisive victory over Erceg this weekend.

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