“I’m levels above this guy”: Muhammad Mokaev calls for UFC return and Joshua Van title fight
Muhammad Mokaev has called for a UFC return and a title fight with Joshua Van, using their common opponents to argue that he deserves the matchup.
A few weeks ago, Muhammad Mokaev claimed that he is the best flyweight in MMA and has recently expressed that he wants to prove this claim. He expressed a desire for UFC to re-sign him to prove he is the best by challenging reigning UFC 125-pound champion Joshua Van in a potential fight.
Muhammad Mokaev demands UFC return to challenge Joshua Van for flyweight title
ACD MMA shared quotes from the conversation with Mokaev on their X account, in which the undefeated fighter pointed to Van’s past fights against Cody Durden and Charles Johnson while explaining why he believes there is a significant gap between the two fighters.
“Joshua Van went to decision with Cody Durden who I finished in under 1 minute,” Mokaev said. “Lost to Charles Johnson by KO, I set the record for most takedowns in the 125 division and beat him.”
Mokaev used the common opponents he and Van share to prove he is better than the UFC flyweight champion. The undefeated flyweight then went on to claim his skills are superior to the 24-year-old and expressed that he does not simply want a return to the promotion; he wants the title fight.
“I’m levels above this guy. If the UFC is all about the best vs the best, make that fight happen,” Mokaev added.
Check out Muhammad Mokaev’s comments below:
When Mokaev was in the UFC, he fought Durden in 2022 and submitted him via a guillotine choke in the first round, while Van went to a decision with ‘Custom Made’ and secured a unanimous decision victory at UFC 310.
Van was knocked out by Johnson in 2024, marking his first and only defeat in the UFC. Mokaev secured a unanimous decision victory over ‘Innerg’ in 2022.
Mokaev using common opponents between him and Van to prove he is the best is not the best way to predict the potential matchups, because MMA math often fails when fighters meet inside the octagon. A prime example of MMA math not working: Max Holloway knocked out Justin Gaethje, then lost to Ilia Topuria, and Topuria got stopped by Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250.
Mokaev refuses to give up on UFC comeback as Joshua Van dominates flyweight division
Despite Mokaev having great success in the UFC, he didn't get re-signed by the promotion. During his time in the promotion, he secured seven wins and was close to earning a title opportunity. UFC CEO Dana White revealed the reason why he chose not to re-sign ‘The Punisher’. He cites the undefeated flyweights’ behind-the-scenes behavior with the promotion and unexciting fighting style.
Meanwhile, Van captured the flyweight title by dethroning Alexandre Pantoja. Since then, he has made two successful title defenses. In his most recent one, he secured a unanimous decision victory over Pantoja at UFC 331 in the rematch, silencing all his critics with his incredible performance.
As for Mokaev, he has been petitioning the UFC to re-sign him, and fans are also demanding his return. It will be interesting to see if the UFC does that.
