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4 promotions who should sign Muhammad Mokaev before the UFC changes their mind

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4 promotions who should sign Muhammad Mokaev before the UFC changes their mind

As a seasoned MMA enthusiast with over two decades of following this exhilarating sport, I can confidently say that Muhammad Mokaev has a plethora of enticing opportunities ahead.

At UFC 304 in Manchester, Muhammad Mokaev failed to make a significant impact during his fight against Manel Kape, the No. 8 ranked flyweight contender. The lead-up to their highly anticipated match generated much excitement, with many anticipating an electrifying showdown. Interestingly, before the bout, Mokaev and Kape shared pleasantries and even asked for a photo together at their hotel. However, things took an unexpected turn when Mokaev claimed that he struck Kape following what he described as a head-butting altercation initiated by Kape during his previous fight against Alex Perez in Las Vegas.

From then on, their animosity grew more pronounced. Mokaev even threw a water bottle at Kape during the weigh-in ceremony, and they had to be kept apart during their pre-fight confrontation. By the time they stepped into the ring, a security team was necessary to prevent them from engaging in an unauthorized fight before the referee’s command.

Prior to his last bout under the UFC contract, Mokaev’s pre-fight activities hadn’t exactly won him favor with the promotion. However, Dana White has a history of using animosity to fuel matchups, as demonstrated in fights like Jones vs. Cormier and McGregor vs. Nurmagomedov. If his fight delivered on the hype generated by these pre-fight skirmishes, he might have secured another contract by the end of the night.

Despite being featured on a relatively unpopular pay-per-view undercard, Mokaev managed to secure a unanimous decision victory over Kape. The fight itself was quite uneventful, with a strong emphasis on grappling that left the audience unimpressed. In his post-fight interview, Mokaev inquired about a potential new contract, but the crowd’s lukewarm response suggested ambiguity about his performance. It seemed no one knew how to react to it.

Apart from White, it was clear that he was content with allowing Mokaev’s contract to end. He announced his decision during the post-fight press conference, explaining that matchmakers had consistently found Mokaev challenging to collaborate with in his time with the UFC. In fact, White humorously suggested that the PFL would benefit from a highly skilled, undefeated athlete like Mokaev.

It appears that, despite expectations, even Professional Fighters League (PFL) declined to handle the challenges posed by Mokaev due to his difficult nature. In a recent media interview on Friday, PFL president Ray Sefo was straightforward about their stance on Mokaev. “I’ve learned from reliable sources that he is simply a challenging individual to work with,” said Sefo during the PFL Playoffs in Nashville. “No, we have no interest in him.”

I find myself at a crucial juncture, sandwiched between two of the world’s elite combat sports promotions who seem reluctant to handle my… let’s say, unique behavioral traits. I’ve made it clear that my heart lies with the UFC, but the road back seems steep and rocky at the moment.

In a recent conversation with MMA Junkie, Mokaev expressed, “To Hunter Campbell, I admitted that whatever actions I’ve taken, I’m prepared to compensate and battle in my next UFC match at no cost. I believe I’ve learned a valuable lesson, and I wish to return to the UFC.”

If his entreaties are ignored, Mokaev may need to seek out a different environment for his career. Ideally, this change might help him restore his reputation in the UFC. Now, let’s explore potential platforms where Mokaev could get such a chance.

1. ONE Championship

For some time now, the MMA division of ONE Championship has seen little activity. Instead, they seem to have prioritized their resources on other combat sports like kickboxing, submission wrestling, and Muay Thai, leaving many of their elite mixed martial artists in a state of inactivity.

As a dedicated fan, I find myself marveling at the impressive titles held by Anatoly Malykhin across three distinct divisions. However, it seems that none of these belts have been defended thus far. Similarly, Demetrious Johnson successfully defended the Flyweight Championship over a year ago against Adriano Moraes, yet neither fighter has had a bout scheduled since. Intriguingly, Christian Lee currently holds both the Lightweight and Welterweight championships, but it appears no fights have been arranged for either division in recent times.

Should they choose to concentrate on MMA and focus on their flyweight division, Mokaev might just be the ideal prospect to boost that category. At only 23 years old, he is considered one of the top ten flyweights globally, and a potential matchup with Demetrious Johnson in ONE’s rehydrated flyweight division could be within reach for him. However, Mokaev needs to tread carefully when considering a move to ONE Championship, as some fighters have faced challenges when trying to depart from the promotion previously due to their strict contracts.

2. Absolute Championship Akhmat

Discussing intriguing flyweight fights beyond the UFC, ACA boasts a top-notch flyweight division on its own. Muhammad Mokaev seems tailor-made for this promotion. In fact, ACA’s flyweight division is often considered the deepest outside of the UFC. If Mokaev aims to regain his position at the sport’s peak, ACA could provide an ideal environment where he can hone his skills effectively.

As a passionate MMA enthusiast with years of following the sport, I must say that the upcoming division showdown is shaping up to be a thrilling event. The roster includes two remarkable fighters who have made significant strides in their respective careers: Askar Askarov, a former UFC fighter, and Azamat Kerefov, a long-time MMA champion.

The fighters Askarov, Kerefov, Gadzhiev, and Imran Bukuev are likely among the top 15 flyweights globally. Mokaev’s combat style, which emphasizes grappling, seems to complement well with these contenders. He could be an excellent strategic fit for them, and ACA might serve as an ideal platform for his progression. In essence, this matchup appears tailor-made.

3. Rizin Fighting Federation

As a seasoned combat sports enthusiast with over two decades of watching and analyzing MMA, I must say it would be quite intriguing to see Mokaev joining Rizin. With Kai Asakura moving to the UFC’s flyweight division on June 9th, it feels like we might witness a fascinating exchange between these two promotions.

Kyoji Horiguchi first gained recognition during his debut in the UFC, where he swiftly secured a title challenge against Demetrious Johnson, only to be submitted at the final moment on the clock. Following this, he transitioned to Rizin, where he achieved significant success in the bantamweight division, capturing titles in both Bellator and Rizin at his new weight class. Later, he returned to flyweight and is widely considered one of the top 125-pound fighters outside the UFC today.

By incorporating fighters like Makoto Takahashi, Rogerio Bontorin (UFC veteran), Hiromasa Ougikubo, and former UFC title contender John Dodson, Rizin offers a diverse array of intriguing matchups for Mokaev, should he join their ranks. Known for its strong brand recognition, Rizin could provide Mokaev with a chance to rebuild his career path towards the UFC.

4. Legacy Fighting Alliance

Among the promotions discussed in this article, it’s likely the least probable, but LFA seems to be the minimum level for Muhammad Mokaev. Regardless of how complicated his free agency situation becomes, you can expect that LFA will at least make an attempt to engage with a promising flyweight prospect like him.

2019 saw Brandon Moreno’s unexpected departure from the UFC after two straight losses against Sergio Pettis and Alexandre Pantoja. However, Luckily for him, LFA stepped in to offer him a chance. In his very next fight under LFA, Moreno claimed the flyweight title, and was promptly re-hired by the UFC within a month.

Among the 11 recognized flyweight champions that Legacy Fighting Alliance has produced, eight have joined the UFC, including top UFC contender Brandon Royval and the previously mentioned Moreno. It’s possible that Mokaev might follow in Moreno’s footsteps, optimistic that the strong connection between these two promotions could benefit him too.

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2024-08-05 01:13

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