Khabib Nurmagomedov believes Muhammad Mokaev would turn out to be UFC flyweight champion if the promotion gave the unbeaten British-Dagestani fighter a title alternative. Talking to Smol Speak, the previous UFC light-weight champion pointed to Mokaev’s wrestling base as the important thing consider his prediction.
Khabib Nurmagomedov Says UFC Missed Muhammad Mokaev Regardless of His Undefeated Report
“If they provide Mokaev a shot, he would be the champion too. He’s additionally a wrestler,” Khabib stated. Nurmagomedov expanded on why he sees wrestling as MMA’s most dependable basis. “When you have got a wrestling background, you’re in charge of the place the struggle goes. Wrestling will at all times dominate.”
Mokaev left the UFC in July 2024 after defeating Manel Kape by unanimous choice at UFC 304 in Manchester. That end result accomplished a 7-0 UFC run, which included submission wins over Cody Durden, Malcolm Gordon, Jafel Filho and Tim Elliott, plus choice victories towards Alex Perez and Kape. He completed 4 of these seven Octagon wins and was faraway from the UFC flyweight rankings after his contract was not renewed. The choice stunned many given Mokaev’s place within the division.
Mokaev arrived within the promotion with a robust newbie document and worldwide credentials. He went 23-0 as an newbie, gained IMMAF world titles in 2018 and 2019, captured the 2019 IMMAF European championship, and beforehand fought for BRAVE Fight Federation earlier than signing with the UFC in 2021.
His exit was not a results of a defeat. UFC CEO Dana White confirmed after UFC 304 that the corporate wouldn’t lengthen Mokaev’s deal, later referring to points away from competitors, whereas Mokaev stated he nonetheless hoped for a return. He rejoined BRAVE CF in August 2024 and submitted Joevincent So with a first-round D’Arce choke at BRAVE CF 91 that December.
Since leaving the UFC, Mokaev has continued to compete throughout disciplines. He gained MMA bouts, made a Karate Fight look, and later captured the BRAVE CF flyweight title with a head-kick knockout of Gerard Burns, taking his listed skilled MMA mark to 16-0.
Khabib retired from MMA with a 29-0 document and the UFC light-weight title, then moved into teaching and nook work for fighters together with Islam Makhachev. His evaluation of Mokaev is from the strategy that formed his personal profession of use wrestling to determine the vary, management positions, and drive opponents to work from unhealthy spots. Mokaev’s document for the reason that UFC launch provides weight to the argument that letting him go might have been a pricey name.
