Muhammad Mokaev`s strategy for climbing back to the top involves staying consistently active and defeating any opponent placed before him.
After his departure from the UFC, Mokaev quickly got back in action, first defeating Joevincent So at BRAVE CF in December 2024, followed by a knockout win over Bolat Zamanbekov under Karate Combat rules. His next scheduled fight is an MMA return against Alisher Gabdullin on June 14 at 971 FC 2 in Dubai.
He almost booked a fight at FCC 42 on June 7, just one week prior to the 971 FC event, but decided “maybe it’s a bit too late.” Mokaev also plans to compete under the BRAVE CF banner again between June and September, targeting a shot at the company’s flyweight championship against the winner of the May 30 bout between Jose Torres and Dias Yerengaipov.
Explaining his high-volume fight schedule, Mokaev stated, “I just want to stay busy because I train all my life, I don’t have like a training camp and all this stuff. For me, it’s make weight and that’s it, I’m ready to go against anyone in the world. I competed in IMMAF, amateur world championships, and I fought every day, so this is nothing new to me.”
However, Mokaev revealed he was close to securing a significant fight later in the year that would have potentially caused him to put other offers on hold.
Mokaev disclosed, “In September [2025], I was supposed to fight against Kyoji Horiguchi in PFL. PFL offered me this fight, September in Dubai. And then I see the news he got signed back to UFC.” Emphasizing his desire for challenging matchups, Mokaev continued, “I don’t shy away from the challenges. Kyoji Horiguchi, he and [UFC champion Alexandre] Pantoja are the best flyweights in the world right now. I would say Manel Kape too, by the skills. I would pick these three guys, toughest of his challenges I could face in the MMA.” He saw the potential Horiguchi fight as a direct route back into the rankings, noting, “So I was thinking, if I beat Kyoji, I’m back in the rankings again. And he goes sign to the UFC.”
Horiguchi subsequently vacated his RIZIN title and returned to the UFC. He was initially booked to headline UFC Baku against Tagir Ulanbekov but later withdrew from the June 21 card for undisclosed reasons.
Although PFL does not currently have a flyweight division, Mokaev stated, “PFL said they’re willing to the open flyweight tournament if I join them.”
Mokaev acknowledged PFL`s favorable treatment towards him, saying, “They’ve been good to me, to me to be honest. They said, whatever you want, you’re welcome.” However, his primary concern preventing him from signing was the potential restriction of a long-term contract. “But I just don’t want to stuck in the contract, that’s the problem,” he explained. While understanding the promotions` investment in fighters, Mokaev is upfront about his ultimate goal: “I’m here to put my performance and get back in the world rankings. I don’t want to lie and [say] I never want to go to UFC. You promote me, I’m going to use your money and then one day just go. I’ll go straight forward, you know?”
Mokaev boasts an undefeated record across his 35 combined professional and amateur bouts. Despite quickly becoming a top contender in the UFC at age 24, he was released after UFC CEO Dana White publicly stated that the promotion`s matchmakers “aren’t big fans of his for many different reasons.”
Reflecting on his UFC departure, Mokaev admitted to making mistakes. “I did some mistakes, whatever happened. We are humans,” he said, suggesting the intense pressure he faced at 22-23 could lead anyone to errors. He asserted he has learned and believes showcasing his striking skills is key to reopening dialogue with the promotion. Regarding the claims of being difficult to work with, he questioned the timing, pointing out he completed seven fights without issues until he neared a title shot. “If you’re hard to work with, you get kicked out from your first fight,” he remarked.
For the time being, Mokaev is concentrating on building his win streak. He has signed a one-fight deal with Mounir Lazzez’s 971 FC promotion and intends to continue accepting single-bout contracts until he reaches his desired position. He maintains that he is not underestimating any opponent, recognizing that the challenge increases after each victory.
Mokaev highlighted the challenges in securing suitable opponents at his level, noting instances where fighters scheduled to face him withdraw, sometimes by deliberately missing medical appointments, or demand excessively high purses. “People might think like I’m fighting somebody not my level,” he stated, adding, “Of course I’m not going to fighting on my level, I beat seven guys in the UFC.”
Despite the difficulties, Mokaev considers Gabdullin a worthy opponent. “I think [Gabdullin is] a good opponent,” he said, stressing the importance of finding a balance between confidence and avoiding underestimation. He described feeling the same intensity walking out for his Karate Combat bout as he did in the UFC, understanding that opponents see beating him as a significant career opportunity. “Basically if they beat me, that’s it,” he explained, “They don’t need to do 20 fights anymore, they just beat me. That’s why I should stay focused. That’s why I’m training every day.”
Mokaev analyzed Gabdullin as a “well-rounded” fighter with “a little bit of everything,” noting his status as a former Octagon champion, a major promotion in Kazakhstan, and his professional record (15 wins, 4 losses), which has more wins than Mokaev`s own pro record. “It means I’m not looking down on somebody,” he affirmed. Ultimately, Mokaev believes his mental edge is crucial: “how you’re going to feel on the fight night, that’s I think I have more confidence than all these flyweights.”
Securing his first knockout in nearly five years during his Karate Combat appearance significantly boosted Mokaev`s confidence in his striking abilities and his desire to showcase a more diverse fighting style in his upcoming MMA bouts. This, he believes, might accelerate his path back to the UFC.
Reflecting on the Karate Combat finish, Mokaev stated, “Now I’m more excited to put my striking performance there.” He explained it increased his “believing in my striking abilities more,” so he feels less compelled to rely solely on takedowns. While his wrestling “Plan B” is always available, he now aims to “put some risk as well, not just like waiting for myself. Put entertainment for the people, too.”
