Muhammad Mokaev continues to indicate off his expertise as probably the greatest flyweights on Earth.
Again in July 2024, Mokaev unexpectedly fought in his final struggle within the UFC, extending his undefeated promotion document to 7-0 with a unanimous choice over Manel Kape that marked the top of his contract with the corporate. That very same night time, UFC CEO Dana White wasted little time stating that he would not be re-signing the then-24-year-old high contender. The problematic nature of some pre-fight antics with Kape did not assist Mokaev’s case, nor did a wrestling-heavy type that prioritized management over pleasure.
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Now 25 years outdated, Mokaev has gained three straight bouts since leaving the UFC, most just lately claiming the Courageous CF flyweight title with a head-kick knockout of Gerard Burns at Courageous CF 100 this previous Friday. Talking on Tuesday’s version of “The Ariel Helwani Show,” Mokaev revealed he spoke with UFC CBO Hunter Campbell and UFC matchmaker Mick Maynard earlier than the Bahrain title struggle.
“They wished me luck earlier than the struggle. It motivated me like loopy. I used to be blissful all day,” Mokaev informed Uncrowned.
“I used to be so motivated. I used to be going to the occasion within the morning, I had a special temper. I am considering perhaps that is the day to show to the world and present the world. After which they only congratulated me after the struggle. I am simply blissful even to only keep in contact with them, that is higher than nothing.”
Mokaev (16-0, 1 NC) glowed as he spoke concerning the optimistic phrases from his former employers. He recalled previous moments in his profession, remembering variations in his mentality and the way this time in opposition to Burns, with the information that UFC executives had been watching, it was a matter of a very good temper equating to a harmful Mokaev within the cage.
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As quickly as Mokaev’s UFC run led to 2024, he made it clear he nonetheless needed to be within the promotion. That sentiment has solely strengthened within the 16 months since. All of the wins he is collected since his saga in opposition to Kape, he admitted, are merely to get him again to the place he was.
“If I say no, I’d lie,” Mokaev mentioned with a smile. “I simply need to be the very best on the planet. Proper now, I imagine I am the very best on the planet. However by the outcomes on the desk, the one man to show that [against] is [Alexandre] Pantoja. That is the one identify I am lacking on my document.”
With an undefeated document and a hit-list that already options a number of top-ranked UFC contenders, Mokaev may very simply have been a justified title challenger for the the UFC’s dominant flyweight champion, Pantoja, after his remaining Octagon win. As a substitute, he captured the Courageous title within the interim, and continues to observe from the skin wanting in as Pantoja prepares for Joshua Van on Dec. 7 at UFC 323.
Mokaev expects the seasoned grappling sport of Pantoja to be an excessive amount of for the proficient, younger Van. And whereas a struggle with the winner is Mokaev’s excellent purpose, he stays open to exploring different alternatives in opposition to names like former Bellator champion and present PFL bantamweight Sergio Pettis.
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Pettis, specifically, is somebody Mokaev would like to problem himself in opposition to. He simply would not need it to get in the way in which of his potential UFC return.
“I want to struggle Sergio Pettis. That is one of many fights I want to compete, however I simply do not need to get locked in [a contract],” Mokaev mentioned.
“I referred to as [my manager] Tim [Simpson] like two hours in the past. I mentioned, ‘Do you suppose that struggle can occur?’ He mentioned, ‘They may lock you in a contract,’ so the one purpose some large fights are usually not happening is due to my dream [to return to the UFC], and I do not need to get locked in.”
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Till Mokaev will get that decision, he plans to remain as busy as doable. Which means competing in additional avenues than simply MMA. In the end, time is on the flyweight’s facet, so why not examine off all of the containers doable?
“I am going to in all probability compete in RAF (Actual American Freestyle). … I want to wrestle there,” he mentioned.
“I feel January I’ll compete [with them]. Then additionally, Karate Fight supplied me a struggle for the belt. I simply need to keep loopy busy. No matter facet quest there’s, I am in.”
