PFL president won't pursue Mokaev: 'Pain in the ass to deal with'

The PFL won't attempt to sign undefeated flyweight and former UFC contender Muhammad Mokaev following his split with the UFC.

"I've spoken to people in the know and, apparently, he's just a pain in the ass to deal with," PFL president Ray Sefo said Friday, per MMA Mania. "And so, no, we're not interested."

Mokaev became a free agent after fighting out his contract with the UFC one week ago. He defeated Manel Kape by unanimous decision on the UFC 304 prelims to improve his career record to 13-0 and requested a new contract after the fight.

Despite Mokaev's accolades, UFC CEO Dana White said he wouldn't re-sign the 23-year-old because the matchmakers disliked working with him. White didn't divulge specifically what the issues were.

The Mokaev-Kape bout was widely believed to be a No. 1 contender's fight going in, but the affair lacked action following an intense buildup. Mokaev admitted afterward he baited Kape for a photo in order to sucker-punch him days before their contest. The two reportedly also had an altercation at the UFC Performance Institute before tangling at UFC 304.

The PFL doesn't offer flyweight or bantamweight divisions, though its Bellator brand features a 135-pound weight class that Mokaev could've been a candidate to join.