Muhammad Mokaev

Muhammad Muradovich Mokaev (Russian: Мухаммад Мурадович Мокаев; born 30 July 2000) is an English professional mixed martial artist and former freestyle wrestler. He currently competes in the Flyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He formerly competed in Brave Combat Federation (BCF). As of 30 April 2024, he is #6 in the UFC flyweight rankings.

Background
Mokaev was born in Buynaksk, Dagestan, Russia, to a Kumyk family. At the age of 12, he and his father moved to England, shortly after his mother had died. They lived in a refugee centre in Liverpool upon their arrival, being given £5 a day. Within a month they were moved to Wigan.

He had tried his hand in freestyle wrestling in Dagestan, but only started enjoying it when he joined the Manchester Wrestling Club in 2013 and started competing. Mokaev is twice a British Championship medallist and an English National champion (twice medallist), and has competed at the 2021 U23 World Championships finishing 5th and the 2021 Ion Corneanu & Ladislau Simon Memorial. In the junior level, he is a four-time British Champion, winning the tournament from 2014 to 2017, and also competed at the 2017 European Championships.

Mokaev picked up Brazilian jiu-jitsu and submission wrestling as well, becoming a two-time ADCC UK champion (intermediate division) in the latter.

Early career
Mokaev made his amateur MMA debut in November 2015 and compiled four wins by the end of the following year in 2016. On 11 February 2017, Mokaev became the flyweight champion for Tanko FC, defeating his opponent via unanimous decision. He was 16 years old at the time. Over the next four years he would go undefeated, finishing off as champion as IMMAF Amateur junior bantamweight champion in 2018 and 2019. Originally Mokaev started training in MMA at Kaobon MMA gym in Liverpool under the tutelage of Colin Heron. He worked and earned his gym membership by cleaning mats at the gym.

Brave Combat Federation
Mokaev debuted on 1 August 2020, against Glenn McVeigh, in Sweden under the Brave Combat Federation 37 card. He scored a unanimous decision victory. He received a "Fight of the Night Bonus" for this fight.

His third fight was against Jamie Kelly, from Rochdale, fighting out of SBG gym under Martin Stapleton. He won the fight via a rear-naked choke, and received a "Fight of the Night" bonus.

His next fight was against Dave Jones under the Celtic Gladiator 28 promotion in Glasgow and he won the fight in the third round.

Mokaev faced Abdul Hussein at the Brave Combat Federation 49. It was described as "15 minutes of non-stop scrambling". The fight was won by decision by Mokaev.

His fight with Ibragim Nazurov at Brave Combat Federation 51 was ruled as a no-contest due to a low kick when Ibragim Nazurov was deemed unable to continue after absorbing a first round low blow.

He faced Blaine O'Driscoll at Brave Combat Federation 54 and won the fight via rear-naked choke in the second round.

Ultimate Fighting Championship
On 17 November 2021, Mokaev signed with UFC.

Mokaev made his UFC debut against Cody Durden on 19 March 2022. He won the fight via guillotine choke in round one. With this win, he received the Performance of the Night award.

Mokaev faced Charles Johnson in his second UFC bout on 23 July 2022, at UFC Fight Night 212. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Mokaev faced Malcolm Gordon on 22 October 2022, at UFC 280. He won the fight via armbar in the third round.

Mokaev faced Jafel Filho on 18 March 2023 at UFC 286. He won the fight via a neck crank submission in the third round.

Mokaev faced Tim Elliott at UFC 294 on 21 October 2023. He won the fight by arm triangle submission in the third round. This fight earned him the Performance of the Night award.

Mokaev faced Alex Perez on 2 March 2024, at UFC Fight Night 238. After landing takedowns and having more control time, Mokaev won the bout by unanimous decision.

Mokaev is scheduled to face Manel Kape on July 27, 2024, at UFC 304.

Grappling career
Mokaev competed in the no gi featherweight division of the BJJ 247 Manchester Open on 17 March 2024, where he was disqualified from his first match for slamming an opponent and lost his second match by submission.

Personal life
Mokaev married Khava Eldarbekova in September 2020. He is a devout Muslim and has publicly criticized the act of Quran burning.

Mokaev became a UK citizen in 2021.

Mokaev is a supporter of the EFL League One football team Wigan Athletic and Betfred Super League rugby team, Wigan Warriors.

Mixed martial arts

 * Ultimate Fighting Championship
 * Performance of the Night (Two times)vs. Cody Durden and Tim Elliott
 * Tied (Joseph Benavidez & Alexandre Pantoja) for second longest win streak in UFC Flyweight division history (6)
 * Tied (Alexandre Pantoja) for second most submissions in UFC Flyweight division history (4)
 * Highest control time percentage in UFC Flyweight division history (59.4%)
 * Second highest top-position percentage in UFC Flyweight division history (42.7%)
 * Fewest strikes absorbed-per-minute in UFC Flyweight division history (1.36)
 * Seventh most takedowns landed in UFC Flyweight division history (28)