Muhammad Mokaev hasn’t been on the UFC’s active roster in close to a year’s time At UFC 317 , Alexandre Pantoja dominated City Kickboxing’s Kai Kara-France, securing his fourth title defense. His reign, though impressively dominant, lacks well-rounded opposition, with most challengers being primarily strikers who have shown little to no ability to stop the champion’s grappling threat. With Joshua Van next, the division risks repetition, as he poses similar striking threats to those of his previous opponents. Should Pantoja defeat Van, reinstating Muhammad Mokaev, a disgraced yet versatile flyweight, could deliver the well-rounded challenge needed to test the champion.
Who Is Muhammad Mokaev?
Muhammad Mokaev, dubbed “The Punisher,” is a 24-year-old British-Dagestani MMA fighter and former freestyle wrestler now competing as a free agent, following a contentious departure in 2024. Mokaev went 7-0 in the UFC’s flyweight division, securing four submission victories, including Performance of the Night awards against Cody Durden and Tim Elliott.
Muhammad Mokaev’s Controversial Exit and Hotel Altercation
Muhammad Mokaev’s exit from the promotion after defeating Manel Kape at UFC 304 stemmed from a dramatic out-of-cage altercation with Kape. According to Kape’s coach, Eric Nicksick, Mokaev initiated the conflict by offering a photo “for our Muslim brothers” before attempting a sucker punch, escalating into a melee involving both camps. This incident, which Mokaev later apologized for, combined with Dana White’s aversion to his grappling style, contributed to the UFC’s decision not to re-sign him after his contract expired.
Muhammad Mokaev’s Post-UFC Journey to Redemption
Since his release, Muhammad Mokaev has actively worked to evolve his skill set and prove his worthiness for a UFC return. At Brave CF 91, Mokaev secured a first-round D’arce choke submission over Joevincent So, showcasing his signature grappling while hinting at a sharper striking skillset.
His striking evolution was fully displayed in his Karate Combat debut at on May 2, where he delivered a spectacular first-round knockout via a spinning back kick to the body followed by a beautiful flying knee against Kazakh MMA fighter Bolat Zamanbekov, earning widespread praise on social media for his performance. By staying active, sharpening his striking, and addressing White’s concerns about his marketability, Muhammad Mokaev is crafting a compelling case for the UFC to reinstate him.
Muhammad Mokaev’s Unique Challenge to Pantoja
Muhammad Mokaev’s relentless chain wrestling could force Pantoja into a defensive grappling battle, which is a dynamic that has been notably absent for his recent title defenses. His ability to seamlessly link takedown attempts and dominate scrambles could disrupt Pantoja’s rhythm and lead to submission threats for the champion. Not to mention he has a rock solid kicking game and can present problems from all angles to Pantoja. His cardio could also test the 35-year-old Pantoja’s endurance in a tough five-round war. This potential superfight could electrify fans, with Mokaev’s fiery trash talk and wild antics, challenge Pantoja and reignite the flyweight division.
