Muhammad Mokaev News

Harry Kettle - October 30, 2025

Former UFC fighter Muhammad Mokaev has voiced his frustration at how he was perceived at the end of his run with the promotion. Last year, Muhammad Mokaev was considered to be one of the most intriguing prospects in all of mixed martial arts. He was doing some incredible things in the UFC’s flyweight division, and it seemed like just a matter of time before he received a world title shot at 125 pounds.

Curtis Calhoun - October 9, 2025

Former UFC flyweight contender Muhammad Mokaev will face a surging prospect for the Brave CF 125lb championship. Muhammad Mokaev will meet surging flyweight star Gerard Burns in the Brave CF 100 main event on November 7th. Mokaev and Burns will fight for the men’s flyweight championship in a massive showdown to mark the promotion’s 100th event.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - May 25, 2025

One former UFC flyweight thinks he knows who has what it takes to dethrone Alexandre Pantoja. Pantoja has been the reigning UFC titleholder at 125 pounds since July 2023 when he defeated Brandon Moreno via split decision. He has had three successful title defenses. The Brazilian bruiser will look to thwart the challenge of Kai Kara-France at UFC 317 on June 28.

BJ Penn Staff - May 2, 2025

Muhammad Mokaev may no longer be part of the UFC roster, but there is no questioning his talent. The Russian-born Englishman signed the UFC with a 5-0 record in 2022. It quickly became apparent he was a world class talent. Within a few years, he had beaten the likes of Tim Ellliott, Alex Perez and Manel Kape to improve his pro MMA record to 13-0. However, things then took a turn for the worst — and not because he lost a fight.

Josh Evanoff - February 19, 2025

Undefeated flyweight contender Muhammad Mokaev is still focused on a return to the UFC. ‘The Punisher’ became one of the UFC’s most-hyped prospects at 125 pounds starting in 2022. Holding an undefeated 6-0 record, Muhammad Mokaev quickly notched wins over the likes of Charles Johnson, Tim Elliott, and Alex Perez. His winning streak earned him a crack at fellow contender Manel Kape last summer at UFC 304 in Manchester.

Josh Evanoff - December 13, 2024

Former UFC flyweight contender Muhammad Mokaev is back on the right track. ‘The Punisher’ is in an incredibly strange spot in his career. Having joined the UFC in early 2022, the young flyweight quickly found success. Over the next two years, Muhammad Mokaev racked up seven straight wins over the likes of Alex Perez, Tim Elliott, Charles Johnson, and more. However, after his decision victory over Manel Kape in July, he was released from the UFC.

Chris Taylor - August 24, 2024

Muhammad Mokaev has found a new home following his nasty split with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Mokaev (13-0 MMA) fought out his contract at last month’s UFC 304 event in Manchester, scoring a lackluster decision win over Manel Kape.

Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 22, 2024

Former UFC flyweight Muhammad Mokaev has hit back at Steve Erceg following UFC 305. Mokaev and Erceg found themselves in a war of words following “The Punisher’s” unceremonious UFC exit. Dana White, UFC CEO, had been adamant that despite Mokaev’s success inside the Octagon he had become difficult to work with and the promotion has passed on signing him to a new deal.

Curtis Calhoun - August 14, 2024

UFC flyweight contender Kai Kara-France believes Muhammad Mokaev got what he deserved after recently being cut by the promotion. Kara-France will face former UFC flyweight title challenger Steve Erceg in the UFC 305 co-main event this Saturday in Perth. After more than a year away from the cage, Kara-France returns looking to snap a two-fight losing skid.

Susan Cox - August 14, 2024

UFC CEO Dana White is responding to Muhammad Mokaev’s offer for one free fight. Muhammad Mokaev (13-0 MMA) is riding high after his latest victory over Manel Kape (19-7 MMA) just last month at UFC 304.

Curtis Calhoun - August 12, 2024

Former UFC flyweight contender Muhammad Mokaev has found a new home after the promotion opted to part ways. Mokaev defeated Manel Kape by unanimous decision in what turned out to be his UFC finale at UFC 304 last month. Immediately after the event, UFC CEO Dana White expressed disinterest in re-signing Mokaev and encouraged the PFL to take a look at the unbeaten free agent.

Harry Kettle - August 12, 2024

UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley has given his thoughts on the promotion’s decision not to re-sign Muhammad Mokaev. As many fans know, Muhammad Mokaev is no longer with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He may be an undefeated flyweight prospect, but the promotion has decided he’s not worth keeping on the books. One of the main reasons for that, it seems, is his attitude.

Curtis Calhoun - August 7, 2024

Former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling thinks the promotion made a significant error in releasing Muhammad Mokaev. Mokaev defeated Manel Kape by unanimous decision at UFC 304 last month in Manchester. The win moved him to 13-0 in his career, and at the time, moved him one step closer to a flyweight title shot.

Harry Kettle - August 5, 2024

Muhammad Mokaev has offered to take a free fight with the Ultimate Fighting Championship in order to return to the promotion. As we know, Muhammad Mokaev has had a busy few weeks. He got involved in a brawl during UFC 304 fight week, defeated Manel Kape, called for a title shot, and was then wasn’t re-signed by the promotion.

Harry Kettle - August 3, 2024

PFL president Ray Sefo has explained why the promotion isn’t interested in signing former UFC fighter Muhammad Mokaev. Last weekend, Muhammad Mokaev managed to defeat Manel Kape in a tight flyweight collision at UFC 304. From there, the expectation was that he would go on to receive a UFC flyweight championship opportunity. Instead, though, Dana White revealed that they would not be offering him a new contract with the promotion.

Curtis Calhoun - August 2, 2024

UFC flyweight contender Steve Erceg didn’t mince words in his reaction to Muhammad Mokaev’s controversial release from the promotion. Erceg will face Kai Kara-France in the UFC 305 co-main event later this month. The card marks the UFC’s return to Perth, Australia, headlined by Dricus du Plessis vs. Israel Adesanya.

Josh Evanoff - July 30, 2024

No, former UFC flyweight contender Muhammad Mokaev hasn’t spoken with the PFL. ‘The Punisher’ returned to the cage over the weekend on the UFC 304 prelims. Back for the first time since a unanimous decision victory over Alex Perez in March, the flyweight was set for a grudge match with Manel Kape. Muhammad Mokaev and ‘Starboy’ had verbally attacked each other in the build-up to the fight, and even brawled during fight week.

Harry Kettle - July 30, 2024

UFC’s final straw with Muhammad Mokaev was reportedly his attempt to negotiate with PFL prior to the final fight on his contract. Last weekend, Muhammad Mokaev kept his unbeaten mixed martial arts record intact. He did so by grinding out a win over Manel Kape, but it wasn’t all that easy. There was a bitter feud between the two heading into the encounter and while they did make up after the fight, you could certainly feel the tension during it.