Khabib Nurmagomedov believes Muhammad Mokaev will develop into UFC flyweight champion if the promotion offers the undefeated British and Dagestani fighter a title shot. In an interview with Small Speak, the previous UFC light-weight champion pointed to Mokaev’s wrestling fundamentals as a key think about his prediction.
Khabib Nurmagomedov says UFC missed Muhamad Mokaev regardless of his undefeated report
“If they provide Mokaev an opportunity, he’ll develop into a champion too. He’s additionally a wrestler,” Khabib mentioned. Nurmagomedov additional elaborated on why he believes wrestling is essentially the most dependable basis for MMA. “With a wrestling background, you’ll be able to management how the match goes. Wrestling will at all times have a bonus.”
Mokaev left the UFC in July 2024 after defeating Manel Kape by unanimous determination at UFC 304 in Manchester. The consequence completes a 7-0 UFC report that features submission wins over Cody Durden, Malcolm Gordon, Jaffer Filho and Tim Elliott, in addition to determination wins over Alex Perez and Kape. He completed with 4 of his seven Octagon wins and was faraway from the UFC flyweight rankings after his contract was not renewed. This determination stunned many, given Mokaev’s place on this division.
Mokaev entered the promotion with a robust newbie monitor report and worldwide credentials. He went 23-0 as an newbie, gained the IMMAF World Title in 2018 and 2019, the 2019 IMMAF European Championship, and signed with the UFC in 2021 after beforehand preventing within the BRAVE Fight Federation.
His resignation was not the results of defeat. UFC CEO Dana White confirmed after UFC 304 that the corporate wouldn’t prolong Mokaev’s contract, later citing points unrelated to competitors, however saying Mokaev nonetheless desires to return. He returned to BRAVE CF in August 2024, and at BRAVE CF 91 in December of the identical yr, he scored a first-round dulce choke on Jobin St. So.
Since leaving the UFC, Mokaev has continued to compete throughout disciplines. He gained MMA matches, competed in karate fight, after which knocked out Gerard Burns with a head kick to win the BRAVE CF flyweight title and enhance his skilled MMA report to 16-0.
Khabib retired from MMA with a 29-0 report and a UFC light-weight title, and went on to educate and nook fighters together with Islam Makhachev. His status for Mokaev stems from the strategy that has formed his personal profession, utilizing his wrestling to create vary, management place and make his opponent do the work for him from a nasty spot. Mokaev’s efficiency since his launch from the UFC lends weight to the argument that letting him go could have been a pricey determination.
