Wolf Tickets: Pros react to lacklustre fight between Muhammad Mokaev and Manel Kape

LockerRoom Team

28 Jul 2024

In what many expected to be a thrilling clash, Muhammad Mokaev and Manel Kape’s bout at UFC 304 fell short of the pre-fight hype. Despite a build-up filled with tension and altercations, the fight itself proved underwhelming, with Mokaev ultimately securing a lackluster decision victory.

Throughout the lead-up to the fight, both Mokaev and Kape engaged in multiple confrontations outside the cage, setting the stage for what seemed destined to be an explosive encounter. However, once the fight began, both fighters failed to deliver the anticipated intensity, leading to a subdued and cautious contest over the course of 15 minutes.

The difference between the fighters' dramatic antics before the fight and their reserved performance in the cage was evident to viewers and commentators alike. The reaction from the MMA community on social media was swift and critical.

"Bruh you’re about to fight, just wait a sec!" tweeted The Thugjitsu Master, echoing the sentiments of many who expected more from the bout. Former UFC fighter Ben Askren was particularly vocal, posting multiple tweets criticizing the fighters for not living up to their aggressive pre-fight personas.

"Act like you can’t wait to fight him…. Then stare at him for a minute," Askren tweeted, followed by a meme comparing the fight to "wolf tickets," a term popularized by Nick Diaz to describe overhyped events.

Other fighters and commentators shared similar frustrations. Josh Thomson remarked, "In the history of bad blood fights, they 90% of the time end up being snooze fest fights," while Alan Jouban noted Kape's tentative approach, suggesting he was trying to force Mokaev into a predictable attack.

Despite the disappointment, Mokaev's victory was clear on the judges' scorecards, although the performance did little to bolster his reputation as an exciting contender in the flyweight division.