From a Liverpool refugee centre to the heights of the UFC
In short: At age 12, Muhammad Mokaev arrived in England and lived in a refugee centre, receiving £5 a day. Today, he is a decorated mixed martial artist whose career has spanned elite organizations, from the UFC to the Brave Combat Federation.
Born in Buynaksk, Dagestan, to a Kumyk family, Mokaev's journey to professional fighting was marked by significant early hardship. After his mother died, he and his father moved to England, where they initially resided in a Liverpool refugee centre. To fund his training at Kaobon MMA, Mokaev worked by cleaning gym mats. After settling in Wigan, he began training in freestyle wrestling. He eventually joined the Manchester Wrestling Club in 2013 to pursue the sport seriously.
His competitive foundation was built in wrestling, where he became a four-time British junior champion between 2014 and 2017. He later transitioned into mixed martial arts, making his amateur debut in November 2015. By age 16, he had already secured a championship title with Taking FC. He also mastered Brazilian jiu-jitsu and submission wrestling, earning two ADCC UK titles. His amateur career included being named the IMMAF Amateur junior bantamweight champion in 2018 and 2019.
Mokaev's professional ascent included a stint in the UFC, where he achieved several notable milestones. He earned two 'Performance of the Night' awards—one for his debut against Cody Durden in March 2022 and another for his victory over Tim Elliott in October 2023. During his time in the UFC, he tied for the third longest win streak in the flyweight division with seven wins. His technical skill is reflected in his statistics, including a high top-position percentage. He also holds one of the lowest strike absorption rates in the division's history.
His departure from the UFC was marked by controversy. Following his July 2024 victory over Manel Kape, UFC CEO Dana White stated Mokaev's contract would not be renewed due to 'many different reasons,' implying issues outside the cage. Mokaev subsequently returned to the Brave Combat Federation in August 2024, where he currently serves as the inaugural Flyweight Champion. His return to the Brave Combat Federation saw him secure a victory via a brabo choke. He has since competed in various weight classes, including a recent bout at catchweight.
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