Muhammad Mokaev is forging a reputation as a wrestler in the UFC.
But MMA wrestling and Olympic wrestling do have some differences.
A while back UFC flyweight Muhammad Mokaev was schooled by the Armenian wrestling champ Arsen Harutyunyan at the 2021 U23 World Championships.
The undefeated (10-0) UFC star Muhammad “The Punisher” Mokaev represented Great Britain at the Championships. He was trained in freestyle wrestling during his childhood in Dagestan and then joined the Manchester Wrestling Club after he migrated to England.
He then learnt Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Mokaev won the gold medal for submission grappling at the ADCC UK Championships in 2018 and 2019. He also won many medals at the national level between 2016 and 2018 in freestyle wrestling.
Mokaev joined Brave Combat Federation in 2020. However, he continued his freestyle wrestling career.
At the 2021 U23 World Championship, he came face to face with the Armenian freestyle wrestler Arsen Harutyunyan in the quarterfinals. Mokaev was no match for the Armenian pro.
Harutyunyan won the match by tech fall (10-0). The Armenian then went on to claim the gold medal for the 61kg category at the event.
In November 2021, the UFC came calling for Mokaev. After signing for the promotion, he became the second youngest star on the UFC roster. Dana White was eyeing the young prospect after he went 23-0 in the amateur scene.
The UFC President offered him a place in Dana White’s Contender Series. However, Mokaev turned it down saying that he deserved a direct spot in the UFC roster.
He was swooped up by the UFC after he went 5-0 with Brave CF. After joining the UFC he has maintained his perfect record and is currently at 10-0.
The flyweight is now one of the best takedown artists in the promotion with over seven takedowns per 15 minutes of combat action.
Mokaev won against Jafel Filho at UFC 268 despite being locked in a kneebar in the third round. At present, it seems like Mokaev wants to take on fellow Englishman Jake Hadley when UFC returns to London.
