In October 2016, a young Muhammad Mokaev, just 16 years old, sat in the stands of the MEN Arena in Manchester, eager to witness UFC 204. That night, he watched Michael Bisping defend his UFC middleweight title against Dan Henderson and saw Leon Edwards take on Albert Tumenov. Fast forward to now, and Mokaev is back in Manchester, but this time, he’s the one making headlines.
“It feels amazing,” Mokaev shared with UFC.com as he prepared for his upcoming bout against Manel Kape at UFC 304.
Reflecting on his journey, Mokaev recalled, “I was at UFC 204 in Manchester in 2016. Michael Bisping fought Dan Henderson, and Leon Edwards fought Albert Tumenov. I came to see Tumenov, who is from the same region as I am. Now, 100 UFC pay-per-views later, I’m here again.”
Back then, Muhammad Mokaev was an amateur with a modest 2-0 record, just beginning to carve his path in MMA. Since then, his rise has been nothing short of impressive. With multiple IMMAF world titles and an undefeated 23-0 amateur record, Mokaev transitioned to professional MMA with a strong start. After accumulating a perfect 7-0 record, he joined the UFC in 2022.
Muhammad Mokaev Has Full Circle Moment at UFC 304
“The Punisher” has since made a notable impact in the UFC, securing victories in all six of his fights to date. His wins include notable names such as Cody Durden, Charles Johnson, Tim Elliott, and Alex Perez.
Despite his impressive streak, Muhammad Mokaev acknowledges that his path has had its challenges. “I think I went into my last fight (against Perez) prepared, but I think I was a little bit sick,” he admitted. “Against Tim Elliott, I was in good shape, but I had to dig deep because he’s a very experienced fighter. Beating two ex-title contenders, I think I’ve done well.”
At just 23 years old, Mokaev’s career trajectory is somewhat unique. He has accumulated extensive experience through both amateur and professional fights, and the UFC continues to test him with increasingly tough opponents. The age difference is another factor he contends with. “I’ve never fought somebody the same age as me (in the UFC),” he noted. “I’ve always been up against fighters who are 33 or 35, while I’m still finding my ‘man strength.’ But one day, I’ll be that age too.”
Mokaev’s upcoming fight against Kape is crucial for the flyweight division. Both fighters are eyeing a title shot, and their contrasting styles have led to some pre-fight tension. When discussing the rivalry, Mokaev kept a professional tone but made it clear that he is fully committed to his goal. “The storyline between me and Kape, because I’m a man and I believe he’s a man, should stay between us,” Mokaev said. “But I will say it’s 1-1 between me and Kape outside the Octagon, and I think this will be the trilogy inside the Octagon.”
Handling With Pressure
With this fight being his 37th, including both amateur and professional bouts, Muhammad Mokaev feels well-prepared. “I’ve been in these situations before. I’ve always been underestimated as a young guy, but I come back and handle whatever is given to me. I feel bulletproof-minded.”
As the event takes place during U.S. primetime, Mokaev has adjusted his fight week preparations accordingly. “Normally I don’t sleep until 2 am or 3 am, but I still train at 9 am. This time, I just did my sparring at night instead of playing PlayStation!” he laughed. “In real life, I’m not good at football, but on PlayStation, I’m great. In real life, I fight in the UFC, but on PlayStation, I just press everything!”
Mokaev is poised for what he considers the most significant fight of his career. His aim is to make a strong statement and move closer to his ultimate goal of becoming a UFC champion. “I hope many kids will be inspired like I was at the MEN in Manchester,” he said. “I want to encourage the next generation to stay active, healthy, and away from trouble.”
This fight marks the end of Mokaev’s current UFC contract. “I’m motivated to put on an exciting fight to say, ‘Hey Dana! I’m ready for a new contract and a big deal,’” he explained. “I’m coming for another finish. I have four finishes out of six fights, and I need a fifth finish.”
With his new-found strength and experience, Muhammad Mokaev is ready to shine and deliver a performance that will not only solidify his place in the UFC but also inspire others as he once was inspired.
