Muhammad Mokaev
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Muhammad Mokaev (Russian: Мухаммад Мурадович Мокаев; born 30 July 2000) is a British professional mixed martial artist and former freestyle wrestler. He currently competes in the Flyweight division of Brave Combat Federation, where he is the inaugural Brave CF Flyweight Champion. He formerly competed in the Flyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
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.
Mixed martial arts career
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 Taking 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.
Mixed martial arts
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.
Mokaev's second fight was against Hayden Sherriff under the Celtic Gladiator 28 card in England. Mokaev won the fight 51 seconds into the first round via TKO. Accredited MMA record keeper website Tapology has listed this bout as ineligible to be recorded as a professional MMA bout. They stated that "(Sherriff) Has purposely participated in bouts with no reasonable path to victory, displayed a lack of competitive effort, and is unjustifiably matched against far more skilled opponents. (He) has knowingly competed and/or listed themself under false names or aliases in order to hide their actual record or identity, or for another improper purpose." Sherriff officially has an 0-13 record in professional MMA and an 0-10 record in amateur MMA according to Sherdog, all of his losses have come in the first round.
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.[citation needed]
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. Mokaev won the bout by unanimous decision.
Mokaev faced Manel Kape on 27 July 2024, at UFC 304. He won the fight by unanimous decision. At the event's post-fight press conference, UFC CEO Dana White said "‘PFL is going to get a great undefeated guy", that Mokaev's contract would not be renewed "for many different reasons" implying outside-the-cage-issues and that he was no longer with the promotion.
Return to Brave CF
On 24 August 2024, it was reported that Mokaev re-signed with the Brave Combat Federation.
Mokaev was scheduled to face Luthando Biko on 13 December 2024 at Brave CF 91. However, days before the event, Biko was forced to withdraw due to health issues and was replaced by Joevincent So in a 130 lb catchweight bout on two days' notice. Mokaev won the fight via a brabo choke submission in the first round.
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.
Mokaev was due to compete against Raul Rosas Jr. in the main event of ADXC 6 on 25 October 2024. Rosas Jr withdrew from the match and was replaced by Rogério Bontorin, which Mokaev blamed on Rosas Jr.’s UFC contract. Mokaev lost the match by split decision.
Mokaev stepped in on just two days’ notice to face Arman Tsarukyan in a grappling match at Hype Fighting: Brazil on March 11, 2026. Despite the weight discrepancy, Mokaev moved up three weight classes—from flyweight—to face the lightweight contender, eventually losing via technical submission (rear-naked choke) at 7:46 of the first round after being rendered unconscious.
Karate Combat
Mokaev won his debut at Karate Combat 54 on 2 May 2025 via flying knee.
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 Super League rugby team, Wigan Warriors.
Popular culture
Beyond the UFC: An Inside Look at BRAVE CF 91: The documentary, directed by MMA filmmaker Will Harris provides an inside look at Muhammad Mokaev's return to BRAVE CF at BRAVE CF 91. The film captures the chaotic fight week leading up to the event, including a last-minute opponent change and weight class adjustment, and offers a behind-the-scenes perspective on Mokaev's training at KHK MMA alongside world champions and Olympic medalists.
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts
- Ultimate Fighting Championship Performance of the Night (Two times)vs. Cody Durden and Tim Elliott Third longest win streak in UFC Flyweight division history (7) Third most submissions in UFC Flyweight division history (4) Second highest control time percentage in UFC Flyweight division history (51.8%) Fourth highest top-position percentage in UFC Flyweight division history (37.9%) Fewest strikes absorbed-per-minute in UFC Flyweight division history (1.35) Seventh most takedowns landed in UFC Flyweight division history (31) UFC Honors Awards 2022: Fan's Choice Debut of the Year Nominee vs. Cody Durden UFC.com Awards 2022: Ranked #3 Newcomer of the Year
- LowKick MMA 2021 #3 Ranked Prospect of the Year
- MMA Fighting 2022 Third Team MMA All-Star 2023 Third Team MMA All-Star
Mixed martial arts record
| 17 matches | 16 wins | 0 losses |
| By knockout | 3 | 0 |
| By submission | 7 | 0 |
| By decision | 6 | 0 |
| No contests | 1 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 16–0 (1) | Gerard Burns | KO (head kick and punch) | Brave CF 100 | November 7, 2025 | 2 | 0:08 | Isa Town, Bahrain | Won the inaugural Brave CF Flyweight Championship. |
| Win | 15–0 (1) | Thomas Assis | Decision (unanimous) | 971 FC 2 | June 14, 2025 | 3 | 5:00 | Dubai, United Arab Emirates | Bantamweight bout. |
| Win | 14–0 (1) | Joevincent So | Submission (brabo choke) | Brave CF 91 | December 13, 2024 | 1 | 1:52 | Isa Town, Bahrain | Catchweight (130 lb) bout. |
| Win | 13–0 (1) | Manel Kape | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 304 | July 27, 2024 | 3 | 5:00 | Manchester, England | |
| Win | 12–0 (1) | Alex Perez | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Gaziev | March 2, 2024 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
| Win | 11–0 (1) | Tim Elliott | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | UFC 294 | October 21, 2023 | 3 | 3:03 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 10–0 (1) | Jafel Filho | Submission (neck crank) | UFC 286 | March 18, 2023 | 3 | 4:32 | London, England | |
| Win | 9–0 (1) | Malcolm Gordon | Submission (armbar) | UFC 280 | October 22, 2022 | 3 | 4:26 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | |
| Win | 8–0 (1) | Charles Johnson | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Aspinall | July 23, 2022 | 3 | 5:00 | London, England | |
| Win | 7–0 (1) | Cody Durden | Submission (guillotine choke) | UFC Fight Night: Volkov vs. Aspinall | March 19, 2022 | 1 | 0:58 | London, England | Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 6–0 (1) | Blaine O'Driscoll | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Brave CF 54 | September 25, 2021 | 2 | 1:36 | Konin, Poland | Catchweight (130 lb) bout. |
| NC | 5–0 (1) | Ibragim Navruzov | NC (accidental groin kick) | Brave CF 51 | June 4, 2021 | 1 | 1:24 | Minsk, Belarus | Catchweight (130 lb) bout. An accidental groin kick rendered Navruzov unable to continue. |
| Win | 5–0 | Abdul Hussein | Decision (unanimous) | Brave CF 49 | March 25, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Manama, Bahrain | Flyweight debut. |
| Win | 4–0 | Dave Jones | TKO (submission to punches) | Celtic Gladiator 28 | November 22, 2020 | 3 | 2:11 | Glasgow, Scotland | |
| Win | 3–0 | Jamie Kelly | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Brave CF 43 | October 1, 2020 | 3 | 2:11 | Manama, Bahrain | |
| Win | 2–0 | Hayden Sherriff | TKO (body kick and punches) | Celtic Gladiator 27 | August 22, 2020 | 1 | 0:51 | Manchester, England | |
| Win | 1–0 | Glenn McVeigh | Decision (unanimous) | Brave CF 37 | August 1, 2020 | 3 | 5:00 | Stockholm, Sweden | Bantamweight debut. |
| Amateur record breakdown | ||
| 23 matches | 23 wins | 0 losses |
| By knockout | 5 | 0 |
| By submission | 3 | 0 |
| By decision | 15 | 0 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 23–0 | Abdulla Mubarak | Submission (rear-naked choke) | 2020 IMMAF-WMMAA Oceania Championships: Finals | 8 March 2020 | 1 | 1:29 | Gold Coast, Australia | Won IMMAF WMMAA OCEANA Championships. |
| Win | 22–0 | Abdulla Alyaqoob | Decision (unanimous) | 2020 IMMAF-WMMAA Oceania Championships: Semifinals | 7 March 2020 | 3 | 3:00 | Gold Coast, Australia | IMMAF WMMAA OCEANA Championships Semifinal. |
| Win | 21–0 | Reo Yamaguchi | Decision (unanimous) | 2019 IMMAF-WMMAA Junior World Championships: Day 4, Finals | 14 November 2019 | 3 | 3:00 | Manama, Bahrain | |
| Win | 20–0 | Tynyshtyk Zhanibek | Decision (unanimous) | 2019 IMMAF-WMMAA Junior World Championships: Day 3, Cage 3 | 13 November 2019 | 3 | 3:00 | Manama, Bahrain | |
| Win | 19–0 | Nikolay Atanasov | Decision (unanimous) | 2019 IMMAF-WMMAA Junior World Championships: Day 2, Cage 2 | 12 November 2019 | 3 | 3:00 | Manama, Bahrain | |
| Win | 18–0 | Max Hynninen | Decision (unanimous) | 2019 IMMAF-WMMAA Junior World Championships: Day 1, Cage 1 | 11 November 2019 | 3 | 3:00 | Manama, Bahrain | |
| Win | 17–0 | Mikey Boden | TKO (punches) | World Combat FC 3 | 28 September 2019 | 2 | 2:10 | Manchester, England | |
| Win | 16–0 | Myles Richards | Decision (unanimous) | Caged Steel FC 23 | 13 July 2019 | 3 | 3:00 | Sheffield, England | Won vacant Caged Steel FC Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 15–0 | Reo Yamaguchi | Decision (unanimous) | 2019 IMMAF-WMMAA European Junior Open Championships: Junior Finals | 22 June 2019 | 3 | 3:00 | Rome, Italy | |
| Win | 14–0 | Batir Sharukhanov | Decision (unanimous) | 2019 IMMAF-WMMAA European Junior Open Championships: Day 3 | 21 June 2019 | 3 | 3:00 | Rome, Italy | |
| Win | 13–0 | Abanoub Fares | TKO (punches) | 2019 IMMAF-WMMAA European Junior Open Championships: Day 2 | 20 June 2019 | 1 | 2:32 | Rome, Italy | |
| Win | 12–0 | Ciaran Mulholland | Decision (unanimous) | UK Fighting Championships 9 | 23 March 2019 | 3 | 3:00 | Preston, England | Won vacant UKFC Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 11–0 | Reo Yamaguchi | Decision (unanimous) | 2019 IMMAF-WMMAA Unified Junior World Championships: Day 5, Finals | 17 November 2018 | 3 | 3:00 | Manama, Bahrain | |
| Win | 10–0 | Ismael Zamora | Decision (unanimous) | 2019 IMMAF-WMMAA Unified Junior World Championships: Day 4, Cage 1 | 15 November 2018 | 3 | 3:00 | Manama, Bahrain | |
| Win | 9–0 | Nurbolat Oteuov | Decision (unanimous) | 2019 IMMAF-WMMAA Unified Junior World Championships: Day 3, Cage 2 | 14 November 2018 | 3 | 3:00 | Manama, Bahrain | |
| Win | 8–0 | Imran Satiev | Submission (rear-naked choke) | 2019 IMMAF-WMMAA Unified Junior World Championships: Day 2, Cage 3 | 13 November 2018 | 1 | 0:57 | Manama, Bahrain | |
| Win | 7–0 | Jack Eglin | TKO (slam & punches) | UK Fighting Championships 5 | 7 October 2017 | 2 | 2:25 | Preston, England | Won vacant UKFC Flyweight Championship. |
| Win | 6–0 | Sebastian Gonzalez | TKO (punches) | Tanko FC 4 | 12 May 2017 | 1 | 0:37 | Manchester, England | |
| Win | 5–0 | Liam Gittins | Decision (unanimous) | Tanko FC 3 | 11 February 2017 | 5 | 3:00 | Manchester, England | Won inaugural Tanko FC Amateur Flyweight Championship. |
| Win | 4–0 | Markus Hægland | Decision (unanimous) | Tanko FC 2 | 3 December 2016 | 3 | 3:00 | Manchester, England | |
| Win | 3–0 | Jose Rufino | TKO (punches) | ICE FC 18 | 28 October 2016 | 2 | 1:27 | Bolton, England | |
| Win | 2–0 | Ash McCracken | Decision (unanimous) | Full Contact Contender 17 | 24 September 2016 | 3 | 3:00 | Manchester, England | |
| Win | 1–0 | Jake Hinton | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Shinobi War 6 | 28 November 2015 | 1 | 2:25 | Manchester, England |
Submission grappling record
| Result | Rec. | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Matches, 0 Wins, 3 Losses, 0 Draws | ||||||
| Loss | 0–3 | Arman Tsarukyan | Technical submission (rear-naked choke) | Hype FC: Brazil | Mar 11, 2026 | Rio De Janeiro, Brazil |
| Loss | 0–2 | Rogério Bontorin | Decision (split) | ADXC 6 | October 25, 2024 | Abu Dhabi, UAE |
| Loss | 0–1 | Zain Hayat | DQ (illegal slam) | BJJ 247 Manchester Open | March 17, 2024 | Manchester, England |
Karate Combat record
| 1 match | 1 win | 0 losses |
| By knockout | 1 | 0 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 1–0 | Bolat Zamanbekov | TKO (flying knee) | Karate Combat 54 | May 2, 2025 | 2 | 1:23 | Dubai, United Arab Emirates |