Fans left stunned after UFC star refuses to submit to kneebar, his leg was at a gruesome angle
Fans were left in disgust and awe after UFC flyweight Muhammad Mokaev survived a brutal kneebar that saw his leg contorted.
The English mixed martial artist took on Jafael Filho in the undercard of UFC 286 headlined by the highly-anticipated Kamaru Usman and Leon Edwards trilogy fight.
It was a true battle to kick off the night between the pair and fans were left shocked by one submission in particular.
Mokaev left in all sorts of trouble in the final round as Filho locked in a kneebar that saw his leg twist in at an excruciating angle.
How tf did Mokaev not tap man pic.twitter.com/FisjvwmHrx
— HokageMMA 🥷🇩🇪 (@hokage_mma) March 18, 2023
People would've forgiven the Englishman for tapping out, but the former amateur world champion refused and eventually made his way back to his feet.
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In a stunning turn around Mokaev managed to take his opponent down and secure a rear naked choke late into the fight.
The Russian-born fighter, although victorious, could barely walk as he got to his feet with the kneebar proving to have done serious damage.
Alhamdulillah! Muhammad Mokaev with the Submission finish over Jafel Fialho! Showed amazing heart in this!#UFC286 pic.twitter.com/GxwgObh6XR
— Borz ⛰ 🐺 (@Borz4562) March 18, 2023
Following the fight, Mokaev admitted that he could feel his leg ‘cracking’ while trapped in the submission and was waiting until his knee ripped.
He was praised for his resiliency by heavyweight Tom Aspinall while on BT broadcast.
Aspinall said: “What did I say about this man’s mentality? This man is different to the rest.
“The stuff that this guy’s been through in his personal life, the guy has been through so much adversity.
“The guy is not going to give up with something like that.
“His mental strength, his physical strength, 95 per cent of people at least, 99 per cent would have definitely tapped to that technique.”
Fans online were equally shocked.
MOKAEV HAS INCREDIBLE HEART. MOST PEOPLE WOULD HAVE TAPPED pic.twitter.com/A8bOk7rJsU
— Khamzat Burner 🇲🇦 (@burner_khamzat) March 18, 2023
The Flyweight division has a new star. His name is Muhammad Mokaev 👏 #UFC286
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) March 18, 2023
Won without a knee, Mokaev is built different #UFC286 pic.twitter.com/rBRX3MdOzF
— AWUREDO (@AOUREDOO) March 18, 2023
Mokaev celebrating his win pic.twitter.com/QchL2PDTu4
— Seán Sheehan (@SeanSheehanBA) March 18, 2023
Muhammad Mokaev’s career could be altered permanently because of this #UFC286
— Ben Davis (@BenTheBaneDavis) March 18, 2023
Mokaev has a legitimate chance at becoming the youngest ufc champion
— Super Fan🇮🇪 (@McGregorRousey) March 18, 2023
Mokaev gets a rear naked choke with 30 seconds left!
— Weasle (@ThaWeasle) March 18, 2023
His knee his done from that kneebar. Mokaev has heart but he may be out for a long time #UFC286
What a win for Mokaev. Wow. Special stuff. That was incredible theater.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) March 18, 2023
Jayden Collins