Muhammad Mokaev More Concerned with UFC Title Than Bigger Fight Purse

Muhammad Mokaev just wants to fight for Ultimate Fighting Championship gold and is not concerned about how much he is paid to do it.

Mokaev takes on Angolan contender Manel Kape at UFC 304 in Manchester, England, on Saturday. Mokaev revealed that his upcoming bout is the last one on his current UFC contract.

Mokaev doesn’t have any expectations for his expected contract renewal, and “The Punisher” is willing to have a one-fight contract if that accelerates his path to a title shot.

Mokaev reiterated his grouse with Steve Erceg getting the last flyweight title shot against Alexandre Pantoja after just three fights in the promotion. Mokaev notes that he didn’t receive the gold bid despite having more finishes in the UFC than “Astro Boy” had total fights in the promotion then.

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Mokaev now just wants a title shot as soon as possible and claims his fight purse isn’t a concern. The Dagestani-born Brit even claims that fighter pay has never been a concern for him despite being one of the lowest-paid fighters on the roster.

“I’m on last fight [of my deal] with UFC,” Mokaev told MMA Today on Sirius XM. “This is my last fight on contract, and I need to put on good performance to negotiate the new contract. It depends on my performance also.

“I want to chase the gold, and I hope the UFC give me a contract… I just want to fight for the belt. Even if they give me one more fight after this. I already look, like they gave Erceg [the title shot after] three fight. I have six fights. I already have more finishes in UFC than Erceg [has] fights in UFC. But they give him opportunity instead of me. So, it doesn’t matter if I fight them now or when I’m gonna defend the belt, I’m gonna face them anyway. And it doesn’t matter to me about money. I never negotiate about money with UFC. I’m on one of the lowest payment out of fighters right now and I never, never ask for much on the fight and get my name out there.”