• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Meet The 'British Khabib' Who's Looking To Break Jon Jones' Record For Youngest UFC Champion

Home> MMA

Updated 13:29 16 Apr 2022 GMT+1Published 16:08 14 Apr 2022 GMT+1

Meet The 'British Khabib' Who's Looking To Break Jon Jones' Record For Youngest UFC Champion

Muhammad Mokaev laid out his ambitious UFC plans to SPORTbible.

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar

Dubbed the 'British Khabib', but carving out his own legacy; introducing rising MMA superstar Muhammad Mokaev who's determined to break Jon Jones' long-standing record for youngest UFC champion.

Aged just 21, Mokaev is aiming high as he's already plotting his assault at UFC gold having made just one appearance inside the famed Octagon.

Mokaev, who arrived in the UK as a refuge, has experienced a difficult and modest upbringing. He now calls Manchester home after leaving Dagestan, where he picked up his high-level wrestling calibre. He's since honed his skills in the north west of England, rising through the ranks.

He racked up six victories before alerting the UFC, who acquired his talents ahead of the promotion's anticipated return to London.

Advert

Image: PA
Image: PA

Mokaev needed just 58 seconds to record his first UFC win, destroying Cody Durden in sensational fashion that put the UFC flyweight division on notice.

He sunk in a guillotine choke and earned a $50,000 post-fight bonus for his troubles. Or lack of.

On his statement performance and collecting a huge bonus, he told SPORTbible: "I think it's more changed for my family life than me. I'm still the same, I'm still training. And it's just more relaxing for my head and for the family I know they sorted for amount of period of time."

Advert

​Mokaev isn't yet ranked in the UFC flyweight division, but he has his eyes on champion Deiveson Figueiredo and believes he's two wins away from challenging the Brazilian title holder.

Asked about his route to UFC gold, he said: "Two fights, I think. I believe so. I believe it's possible.

"I had six professional fights last year in Covid times. It was difficult to travel. Six professional fights in one year. it's very hard. It's about fighting, about making weight and I still done it. And I'm in UFC. Now I'm going to prove this same here."

Figueiredo regained the UFC flyweight title after out-pointing Brandon Moreno at UFC 270.

Advert

Despite his impressive, hard-fought win - Mokaev isn't impressed and even revealed that he's exchanged DMs with the UFC champion.

"He's okay man. Me and him had an argument. I told him I'm coming and sent him a DM I said 'listen, I'm coming,'" he added.

"I know it sounds strange. I have too much confidence in my head. Not because I'm not realistic. It's realistic. Why not?

"The guy's has two arms, two legs, same body. He trains the same as me - jab, backhand, low kick, take down.

Advert

"It's all about mentality. If you turn up on the fight night with the strong mentality that I had at UFC London. I think that's what causes better performances and how strong you are mentally. That's what's gonna make you a champion."

So, what did Mokaev and Figueiredo message each other? Well, he didn't divulge the details - but hilariously says it got bilingual.

"It was DMs. He sent me something in Brazilian and I didn't understand so I sent something in Russian and English," he explains.

Image: PA
Image: PA

Advert

But, before Mokaev gets his hands on Figueiredo, he'll need to take out some of the division's best in order to earn his shot.

He'll likely showcase more of his skills following his blistering debut. In particular, his famed wrestling which he molded in Dagestan.

Comparisons with UFC great Khabib Nurmagomedov have been inevitable, with fans coining the nickname the 'British Khabib' - but Mokaev has his own story to tell.

"No, I have another history. I have a different story behind me. This is a huge difference between me and him. And when I put more results on my career you'll understand why."

He also recalls his conversation with fellow rising UFC phenom Khamzat Chimaev, who told him to turn professional during his amateur days.

"Yes, I spoke to him," he added. "I remember in 2018, I was watching him on Brave organisation in Bahrain and then he's like, when I won my last amateur fight, he sent me a voice message. It was 2020 before he joined UFC, he told me: 'Stop doing this amateur let's go professional.'"

As for Mokaev's next Octagon appearance, he's eyeing a showdown on a potential UFC event in Manchester - saying he'd rather fight in his hometown rather than Las Vegas.

"If they announce UFC Manchester before like August or September. I don't need Vegas. I'll fight in Manchester.​​​​"

Mokaev has lofty ambitions and a good head on his shoulders as he manifests his UFC goals. He has the MMA world at his feet and is hellbent on making UFC history. Remember the name, Muhammad Mokaev.

Featured Image Credit: Muhammad Mokaev/PA

Topics: Spotlight, UFC, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Jon Jones

Nasir Jabbar
Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar is a journalist at SPORTbible. He graduated from Bath Spa University with a BA in Media Communications. He's a combat sport aficionado and has contributed to MMA websites AddictedMMA and CagePotato. Nasir has covered some of the biggest fights, while interviewing the likes of Conor McGregor, Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Darren Till. He's also an avid Bristol City fan.

X

@NasJabbar

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

4 hours ago
12 hours ago
14 hours ago
  • 4 hours ago

    Conor McGregor sends new message on his relationship with Dee Devlin amid backlash from fans

    Conor McGregor has posted a new message involving other Dee Devlin despite recent controversy involving the UFC star.

    MMA
  • 12 hours ago

    Dana White banned UFC fighters from wearing item after being 'horrified' following live on-air incident

    The UFC boss was furious after the controversial incident.

    MMA
  • 14 hours ago

    Conor McGregor and Dee Devlin make relationship status clear after Azealia Banks and 'mystery woman' controversy

    McGregor has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons but recent IG post suggests all is fine with Devlin

    MMA
  • 14 hours ago

    UFC fighter leaves fans seriously worried after shocking footage emerges of his behaviour during press conference

    The former title contender has concerned fans ahead of his fight on the UFC 318 card.

    MMA
  • Khabib Nurmagomedov sent Jon Jones new 'not friends' message with surprising twist
  • Khabib Nurmagomedov explains why he can 'never be friends' with Jon Jones amid UFC GOAT debate
  • Jon Jones makes retirement U-turn as Dana White reveals his ‘dream main event’ for UFC White House card
  • Jon Jones facing new criminal charge amid retirement from UFC