Former UFC flyweight contender Muhammad Mokaev didn’t hold back on Steve Erceg after UFC Mexico City.
Former UFC title challenger Steve Erceg lost his third consecutive fight in the UFC Mexico City headliner on Saturday. In a back-and-forth battle, Erceg went home with a unanimous decision defeat to Brandon Moreno, who cemented his spot as the potential next flyweight title challenger.
It was another disappointing setback for Erceg after recent losses to UFC flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja and Kai Kara-France. After three straight wins to begin his promotional tenure, Erceg is now on the outside looking in at the title picture.
After Erceg’s loss, it didn’t take long for his long-standing feud with Muhammad Mokaev to return to the forefront.
Muhammad Mokaev answers Steve Erceg’s pre-UFC Mexico City taunts
In a UFC Mexico City fight week interview on The Ariel Helwani Show, Erceg was asked about Mokaev’s UFC exit and his issues with the former flyweight standout.
“I was shocked that he got cut,” Erceg said. “Obviously being undefeated, you think that’s enough to stay in the UFC, but yeah, I don’t know. I didn’t like the way he interacted with people around him, and he’s messaged me since. I’m thinking more and more that he’s a massive knob, so I don’t care.
“He seemed like a privileged diva, I guess. Like, ‘Everything has to be done the way I want it. I don’t care if that’s not how it’s done.’ It was surprising because you would think somebody that grew up the way he grew up would be a little bit more humble.” (h/t MMA Junkie)
After Erceg lost to Moreno in the UFC Mexico City main event, Mokaev issued a timely response.
“Come to Brave [Steve],” Mokaev posted on X.
“The results always louder than words. [Privileged] diva.”
Mokaev wasn’t re-signed by the UFC after a lackluster win over Manel Kape at UFC 304. He’s since returned to MMA in Brave CF, earning a first-round finish at Brave CF 91.
The undefeated Mokaev appeared on the cusp of a title shot before the UFC opted to part ways with him after UFC 304. The UFC matchmakers and Mokaev had an alleged strained relationship during his tenure, which included multiple pre-fight brawls with Kape ahead of UFC 304.
UFC Mexico City featured ‘robberies’, wild KOs, and a rare Bruce Buffer blunder
UFC Mexico City was another eventful evening in the Octagon, which featured wild finishes and an entertaining main event between Moreno and Erceg.
The card’s opening fight featured a bit of controversy as MarQuel Mederos won a head-scratching split decision over Austin Hubbard. The controversies didn’t alleviate as the main card played out, as Manuel Torres won a hotly-discussed TKO finish against Drew Dober.
UFC Octagon announcer Bruce Buffer had a rough night at the office as he announced an incorrect fight winner during the UFC Mexico City prelims. But Buffer rebounded well as the card played out.
As for Erceg, he’ll look to bounce back in his next Octagon appearance. If the UFC matchmakers opt to re-sign Mokaev down the line, Erceg and Mokaev could potentially be on a collision course.
