MMA News

Tag: Muhammad Mokaev

  • Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano Card Suffers Big Blow After Fighter Withdraws Due to Visa Issues One Week Out From May 16 Event

    Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano Card Suffers Big Blow After Fighter Withdraws Due to Visa Issues One Week Out From May 16 Event

    A highly anticipated matchup between two of the world’s best non-UFC flyweights has fallen apart just days before the blockbuster Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano card.

    Most Valuable Promotions confirmed Saturday that Muhammad Mokaev has been forced out of next weekend’s Netflix event due to visa complications, resulting in a late opponent change for Adriano Moraes ahead of the May 16 card at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.

    Instead, undefeated prospect Phumi Nkuta will now step in on short notice to face Moraes in a 130-pound catchweight bout.

    Muhammad Mokaev Suffers Frustrating Setback Ahead Of Massive Netflix Card

    Mokaev’s withdrawal is a significant blow to the event, given the intrigue surrounding the matchup. The undefeated flyweight was widely viewed as one of the standout names attached to the card, and many fans saw the fight as a potential statement opportunity that could help reopen the door to a UFC return.

    The 25-year-old remains unbeaten in professional MMA with a 16-0 record and previously went 7-0 inside the UFC before his surprising release in 2024. During his time with the promotion, Mokaev picked up victories over notable names such as Manel Kape, Alex Perez, and Tim Elliott.

    Since leaving the UFC, Mokaev has continued winning outside the promotion and even captured the inaugural Brave CF flyweight championship last year.

    His replacement, Nkuta, enters the spotlight carrying an undefeated 11-0 professional record. The South African-born flyweight has competed for promotions such as Bellator, LFA, and CFFC, where he previously held championship gold.

    Meanwhile, Moraes enters the matchup looking to rebound from recent struggles. The longtime ONE Championship standout famously defeated Demetrious Johnson during his title reign, though he has dropped three of his last four fights heading into the Netflix event.

    The May 16 card remains stacked despite the late change, featuring appearances from stars such as Francis Ngannou, Nate Diaz, and Junior dos Santos.

  • Muhammad Mokaev Maps His Path Back To the UFC: “There’s no bad blood”

    Muhammad Mokaev Maps His Path Back To the UFC: “There’s no bad blood”

    Former UFC flyweight Muhammad Mokaev seems to be pretty confident that he will eventually make his return to the promotion.

    At the age of just 25, Muhammad Mokaev is already one of the most talented flyweights in all of mixed martial arts. However, despite his undefeated record, the younger was ousted from the company following several disagreements behind the scenes with higher-ups. Since then, he’s been able to win two more fights in his post-UFC run, although many are still hoping to see him back in the big dance one day.

    Of course, that all depends on what kind of attitude the company is going to have here. We all know that flyweight is full of some top guys, but the addition of Muhammad Mokaev would certainly inject some real life into proceedings. Alas, the UFC were clearly quite unhappy with him, and there are some problems that need to be resolved before things can move any further.

    In a recent interview, Muhammad Mokaev made it crystal clear that he expects to be back inside the octagon at some point in the future.

    Muhammad Mokaev expects eventual UFC return

    “I believe one day, if I get a couple finishes, UFC will sign me back. There’s no bad blood between me and the UFC.”

    Mokaev is still young and he still clearly has a lot left to learn about the sport. With that being said, Alexandre Pantoja is one of the most interesting champions out there in MMA right now – and this is a matchup that would be pretty fascinating.

  • Muhammad Mokaev Torches Joe Pyfer For Mexico Rant: ‘If You Signed, STFU!’

    Muhammad Mokaev Torches Joe Pyfer For Mexico Rant: ‘If You Signed, STFU!’

    Former UFC flyweight contender Muhammad Mokaev has weighed in on Joe Pyfer’s comments after a last-second withdrawal from Saturday’s event in Mexico.

    Pyfer has caused a stir in recent days following the cancellation of his planned clash with Kelvin Gastelum on this past weekend’s card inside Arena CDMX. “Bodybagz” pulled out on the day of the fight citing illness.

    In the aftermath, the American released a video on social media explaining the situation. Pyfer detailed his sickness and placed blame on the location, branding Mexico a “sh*thole” during a rant that was quickly criticized by many in the MMA community.

    “I don’t care if it’s offensive to you, I will never go back to that country,” Joe Pyfer said. “I did everything right. I slept in a tent. I did all this work to still get sick. Some people are saying it wasn’t the food, saying I got altitude sickness. I’m not a f*cking geographic f*cking, you know, elevation f*cking scientist, but I was told as long as I acclimated, which I did for two months, slept in a tent on the f*cking floor – you know, I did everything that I could to prepare.

    “If that’s what altitude and elevation is, f*ck that country. I will never fight there again. Sh*thole. Not going back. Don’t care if that’s offensive to you. You’re not the one fighting. Suck my balls. Literally,” Pyfer concluded.

    Among those to call Pyfer out for his remarks were a number of fighters, one being Mokaev.

    Responding to the video on social media, “The Punisher” insisted that Pyfer accepted the risks of fighting overseas once he signed on for the matchup.

    “TBF every country is challenge and you gotta go out there and adapt,” Mokaev wrote on X. “It’s your own risk when you sign the contract but if you signed (then) stfu”

    The scenario has marked a blow to Pyfer’s surge up the ladder, which got back on track last summer with a brutal knockout of Marc-André Barriault. While the 28-year-old’s journey to the Octagon birthed the “be Joe Pyfer” tagline, his reputation would appear to have taken a blow as a result of his comments on Mexico.

    In addition to “don’t be Joe Pyfer” posts online, the American’s Wikipedia page has also been altered to change his moniker to “El Kakas,” loosely translated to ‘excrement’ in English.

  • Muhammad Mokaev’s Next Fight To Come In Striking-Only Sport, Not MMA

    Former UFC flyweight contender Muhammad Mokaev will be leaving mixed martial arts for his next fight.

    Mokaev surprisingly found himself outside of the sport’s leading promotion shortly after his win at UFC 304 in Manchester last July. In a lackluster affair, the Dagestan-born Brit outpointed Manel Kape to move to 13-0 as a pro and 7-0 in the UFC.

    With a victory over “Starboy,” Mokaev was anticipating a potential title shot. But seemingly owing to his conduct behind the scenes, “The Punisher” was instead let go after fighting out his contract.

    The 24-year-old was quick to complain about the decision publicly, even offering to fight for free if it would allow him back into the UFC. His efforts evidently fell on deaf ears, however, and he’ll need to put the work in outside of the Octagon to stake his claim for a new deal.

    Thus far, that has included one victory back under the Brave CF banner last December. To kick off his campaign for 2025, however, Mokaev is venturing outside of his comfort zone.

    After much speculation, “The Punisher” confirmed this week that he’ll debut in Karate Combat at the organization’s upcoming event in Dubai on May 2.

    “May 2nd, Dubai. @KarateCombat. My first ever sport was karate, then I moved to wrestling,” Muhammad Mokaev wrote. “I just wanna compete and stay active. And building my striking experience. I always will have plan B, which is wrestling, but I need to work on plan A”

    The move will see Mokaev swap the cage for “the pit,” with Karate Combat fighting taking place in a square combat pit surrounded by 45-degree angled walls. Wrestling, submissions, and elbows are not permitted.

    Mokaev will mark the latest high-profile name to compete in the promotion, which has already staged fights featuring the likes of Luke Rockhold, James Vick, Benson Henderson, and Anthony Pettis.

  • Steve Erceg Drops Usual Calm Demeanor In Brutal Put-Down Of ‘Massive Knob’ Muhammad Mokaev

    Steve Erceg Drops Usual Calm Demeanor In Brutal Put-Down Of ‘Massive Knob’ Muhammad Mokaev

    It would seem to take a lot to rile up UFC flyweight Steve Erceg, but Muhammad Mokaev has evidently managed it.

    While Erceg isn’t one for trash talk and heated feuds, he did get on the wrong side of Mokaev after giving his take on the Dagestan-born Brit’s sudden UFC exit.

    After the promotion chose not to re-sign “The Punisher,” with Dana White citing issues away from the cage, Erceg claimed that Mokaev had displayed disrespectful behavior toward UFC staff.

    Mokaev was quick to reject that, and he reiterated that Erceg is a ‘liar’ while reacting to an image of the Australian standout following his fknockdown at the hands of Kai Kara-France at UFC 305 last August.

    And Mokaev’s mocking of Erceg seemingly spread into the private realm, with the current UFC contender revealing during an appearance on Tuesday’s episode of The Ariel Helwani Show on Uncrowned that “The Punisher” had messaged him.

    Because of that, “AstroBoy” had some choice words for his former UFC peer.

    “I didn’t like the way (Mokaev) interacted with people around him, and he’s messaged me since,” Erceg said. “I’m thinking more and more that he’s a massive knob. He seemed like a privileged diva. … It was surprising because you would think somebody that grew up the way he grew up would be a little bit more humble.

    “He just seemed like a douche. After I got knocked out, obviously, he messaged me and asked me if I woke up,” Erceg continued. “I’d love to slap him around.”

    For the time being, Erceg won’t have the chance to ‘slap Mokaev around’, with the pair competing under different promotional banners.

    The Aussie will instead look to emerge victorious from a battle with former two-time UFC champion Brandon Moreno at this weekend’s event in Mexico City.

  • Muhammad Mokaev Sees Only One Threat To Alexandre Pantoja’s UFC Reign

    Muhammad Mokaev Sees Only One Threat To Alexandre Pantoja’s UFC Reign

    Aside from himself, former UFC flyweight Muhammad Mokaev has one name in mind when it comes to fighters capable of dethroning Alexandre Pantoja.

    Pantoja has kept a firm grip on the gold since capturing it from Brandon Moreno in a brutal five-round battle during International Fight Week back in July 2023.

    “The Cannibal” has since successfully defended the belt on three occasions, pushing past the challenges of Brandon Royval and Steve Erceg by way of the scorecards and most recently submitting newcomer Kai Asakura at UFC 310 last December.

    With the undefeated Mokaev ousted from the UFC owing to apparent issues away from the cage, many have questioned if anyone on the current UFC flyweight roster has what it takes to beat Pantoja.

    According to Mokaev, the answer is no. But away from the division’s current crop of contenders and prospects, “The Punisher” does see a threat…

    “Right now I see only Kyoji Horiguchi making a problem for Pantoja,” Mokaev wrote on X. “The rest he will beat 2-3 times and more.”

    In another post, Mokaev did admit that Kai Kara-France has a “chance,” but noted that the Kiwi standout already fell short against the champ during a season of The Ultimate Fighter back in 2016.

    Kara-France is expected to challenge “The Cannibal” at UFC 316 in Newark this coming June.

    Kyoji Horiguchi, meanwhile, hasn’t competed in the UFC in close to a decade. He’s since achieved two-division championship glory under the Rizin banner, as well as collecting Bellator’s bantamweight title.

    The Japanese veteran most recently defended his Rizin flyweight belt against Nkazimulo Zulu last December, prior to which he opened the door to a possible UFC return and clash with Pantoja, his American Top Team stablemate.

  • Muhammad Mokaev Sends ‘Son’ Manel Kape A Reminder After Ex-UFC Rival Nets Second Win Since Their Fight

    Muhammad Mokaev Sends ‘Son’ Manel Kape A Reminder After Ex-UFC Rival Nets Second Win Since Their Fight

    Former UFC flyweight contender Muhammad Mokaev was quick to appear on social media with some stern words for this weekend’s main event winner, Manel Kape.

    Mokaev’s tenure on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage concluded with a bitter feud opposite Kape, which included altercations away from the cage and culminated in a lackluster decision win for the Dagestan-born Brit at UFC 304 last July.

    Having done little to impress with his performance and apparently not made friends with the matchmakers, Dana White and the UFC chose not to renew “The Punisher’s” contract.

    His absence from the flyweight pecking order has provide an opportunity for Kape to quickly erase the memory of his 2024 defeat, and he’s done just that with back-to-back wins.

    And in the aftermath of his most recent triumph over Asu Almabayev at UFC Vegas 103, Kape received a reminded about his setback in Manchester from his ex-rival.

    “There’s only one best flyweight in the world (wink),” Mokaev wrote on X.

    And Mokaev followed that up with a sterner post after evidently coming across a clip of Kape trash-talking him.

    “Dirty fighter Popped on steroids Eye poked and didn’t even stopped , when I eyed poked you I stoped and let you recover! I apologised for whatever happened between us and I thought it ended but you still talking sh*t about me in every interview! because live in your head , I beat you not even in my prime and pull your pants down in front the whole world! And you will be my son for rest of life!”

    For now, Mokaev is competing under the Brave CF banner as he looks to work his way back to the UFC this year.

    Kape, meanwhile, is widely thought to have placed himself in line to challenge the winner of Alexandre Pantoja’s expected title defense against Kai Kara-France at UFC 316 in Newark this June.

  • Muhammad Mokaev Still Confused By Dana White’s Claim About His UFC Exit: ‘Never Pulled Out…Never Missed Weight’

    Muhammad Mokaev Still Confused By Dana White’s Claim About His UFC Exit: ‘Never Pulled Out…Never Missed Weight’

    Flyweight fighter Muhammad Mokaev says he’s none the wiser as to true reasons behind his shock departure from the UFC last year.

    Mokaev surprisingly found himself outside of the sport’s leading promotion shortly after his win at UFC 304 in Manchester last July. In a lackluster affair, the Dagestan-born Brit outpointed Manel Kape to move to 13-0 as a pro and 7-0 in the UFC.

    With a victory over “Starboy,” Mokaev was anticipating a potential title shot. But seemingly owing to his conduct behind the scenes, “The Punisher” was instead let go after fighting out his contract.

    The 24-year-old was quick to complain about the decision publicly, even offering to fight for free if it would allow him back into the UFC. His efforts evidently fell on deaf ears, however, and he’ll need to put the work in outside of the Octagon to stake his claim for a new deal.

    While the exact nature of the UFC’s decision remains undisclosed, Dana White did imply that “The Punisher” was difficult to work with, a sentiment shared by the matchmakers.

    During an appearance on Wednesday’s episode of The Ariel Helwani Show on Uncrowned, Mokaev reflected on the UFC CEO’s remarks, admitting he’s still baffled by what he did wrong.

    “Still today, I don’t understand the real situation,” Mokaev said. “Of course, there was a beef (with Kape) in the hotel and stuff, but I really don’t know. Maybe there’s a miscommunication between my team and UFC.

    “I really don’t know. Like, difficult which way?” Mokaev said regarding White’s claim he was not an easy fighter to work with. “Seven fights under two years, four finishes, never pulled out from the fight, never missed weight.”

    Post-UFC exit, Mokaev made his return to one of his former organizations, competing at Brave CF 91. After his original opponent withdrew, the Dagestan-born Brit shared the cage with replacement Joevincent So on two days’ notice last December.

    “Chain” didn’t last long, falling by way of submission in under two minutes after being dragged down and locked in a D’arce choke.

    It remains to be seen what the future holds for Mokaev, as well as the specifics of his contractual agreement with Brave CF.

  • Muhammad Mokaev Calls For ‘One Fight’ PFL Deal To Settle Feud With Longtime Rival

    Former UFC flyweight contender Muhammad Mokaev could have his sights on the PFL following the arrival of one of his bitter foes to the promotion.

    Mokaev departed the UFC last year after the organization chose against re-signing the Dagestan-born Brit after the final fight of his deal in Manchester. That decision came despite “The Punisher” defeating Manel Kape at the event to extend his undefeated professional record to 14-0.

    Since then, the 24-year-old has re-joined Brave CF and recorded a submission victory over Joevincent So last December. His first assignment of 2025 is yet to be announced, but it would seem that the recent release of another ex-UFC flyweight has caught his attention.

    Jake Hadley’s exit from MMA’s biggest stage was confirmed this week, with “White Kong” quickly putting pen to paper on a deal with the Professional Fighters League (PFL).

    Given the pair’s long-standing rivalry and verbal spat online, Mokaev pitched a one-and-done PFL outing to settle the beef with his fellow Englishman.

    “Any weight against this guy, just one fight deal and we go,” Mokaev wrote.

    Hadley soon responded on X, questioning why Mokaev waited until he signed with another promotion before calling him out online.

    “Lol this guy chats the most sh*t when he can’t fight me when we was both free agents,” Hadley said. “Where was all this talk then Ps PFL don’t won’t u”

    PFL higher-ups shared differing views on the possibility of acquiring Mokaev following his UFC exit last year. While PFL executive Mike Kogan backed up Ray Sefo’s remarks regarding a lack of interest, CEO Peter Murray later contradicted that by identifying “The Punisher” as someone who could be the “face” of a future PFL flyweight division.

    With Hadley being signed to compete at bantamweight, it remains to be seen whether or not the PFL has plans for 125-pound competition in 2025.

  • Muhammad Mokaev Fires Back After Being Branded ‘Boring’ By Kai Kara-France: ‘Kape Owns You!’

    Muhammad Mokaev Fires Back After Being Branded ‘Boring’ By Kai Kara-France: ‘Kape Owns You!’

    Former UFC flyweight Muhammad Mokaev has looked to give Kai Kara-France a lesson in mathematics.

    Mokaev and Kara-France once looked on a collision course as they plied their trade under the same banner. But that changed this year when the UFC opted not to renew the former’s contract following his controversial fight week in Manchester and subsequent decision win over Manel Kape at UFC 304.

    With that, “The Punisher’s” plans to challenge Alexandre Pantoja were squashed, and he’s been made to work his way back to the Octagon elsewhere. That journey began on the front foot this month when Mokaev landed a quick submission at Brave CF 91.

    Kara-France, meanwhile, is widely expected to be the man opposite Pantoja in 2025 following his emphatic knockout of recent title challenger Steve Erceg in Perth this past August.

    And while staking his claim for a shot and rematch opposite “The Cannibal” during an appearance on Wednesday’s episode of The Ariel Helwani Show on Uncrowned, the New Zealander sought to explain why he’s in this position instead of Mokaev.

    “[Mokaev] is boring, bro. This is fighting. It’s not wrestling. It’s not hugging. Don’t pull someone’s pants down in the middle of a fight,” Kara-France said. “No one pays all this money to see someone just dry hump someone on the ground.”

    Unsurprisingly, it didn’t take the always vocal Mokaev long to hit back.

    In a post on X, “The Punisher” poked holes in Kara-France’s assessment by noting his higher finishing rate on MMA’s biggest stage. He also remarked on the City Kickboxing fighter’s feud with Kape, which almost boiled over at a press conference in Australia last year.

    “More finishes than you in the UFC, bro,” Mokaev wrote. “Only been in the UFC 2 years, had 7 fights and 4 finishes with 2 heavy injuries. You have been in the UFC 8 years now, do the maths. Kape owns you btw.”

    For now, the pair’s animosity can’t be settled inside the Octagon.

    But should Kara-France unseat Pantoja next year and Mokaev find himself back under the UFC banner courtesy of a few more standout performances with Brave CF, perhaps the matchup will be back on the table soon enough.

  • VIDEO: Muhammad Mokaev Submits Opponent Less Than 2 Minutes Into First Fight Post-UFC

    VIDEO: Muhammad Mokaev Submits Opponent Less Than 2 Minutes Into First Fight Post-UFC

    It was a successful return to action for Muhammad Mokaev (13-0) on Friday, as he emerged victorious from his first fight since departing the UFC earlier this year.

    Mokaev’s tenure on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage came to a surprise end this past July. After extending his perfect professional and Octagon records with a victory over Manel Kape at UFC 304, “The Punisher’s” contract wasn’t renewed.

    UFC CEO Dana White announced the shock decision during the post-fight press conference in Manchester, putting it down to facts outside of the cage, including issues the matchmakers and Hunter Campbell had dealing with the flyweight up-and-comer.

    With his pleas for an immediate return to the promotion falling on deaf ears, Mokaev has frequently vowed to earn his spot back on the UFC roster. And the first step toward achieving that got underway Friday in Bahrain.

    Mokaev made his return to one of his former organizations, competing at Brave CF 91. After his original opponent withdrew, the Dagestan-born Brit shared the cage with replacement Joevincent So on two days’ notice.

    “Chain” didn’t last long, falling by way of submission in under two minutes after being dragged down and locked in a D’arce choke.

    It remains to be seen what the future holds for Mokaev, as well as the specifics of his contractual agreement with Brave CF.

    But with UFC Flyweight Champion Alexandre Pantoja appearing short on fresh options following his third title defense last weekend, perhaps an Octagon return will arrive sooner rather than later for “The Punisher” following an emphatic outing on Dec. 13.

  • Muhammad Mokaev Vows To Become ‘Pound-For-Pound Best Fighter In The World’ Ahead Of Post-UFC Return

    Muhammad Mokaev Vows To Become ‘Pound-For-Pound Best Fighter In The World’ Ahead Of Post-UFC Return

    On December 13, Muhammad Mokaev is set to make his return to MMA following a very significant and unpredictable 12 months in 2024. “The Punisher” last fought at UFC 304 in July where he defeated Manel Kape to earn his seventh consecutive win inside the Octagon.

    At just 24-years old he has already shown that he isn’t just the future of the flyweight division but he was the present as well and off the back of another big win over a highly ranked opponent, it seemed clear that he would challenge for the UFC’s 125-pound title in the near future. Instead, in the post-fight press conference, Dana White announced that the promotion would be parting ways with Mokaev due to the issues and complications that he has caused outside of the cage with his behaviour.

    Mokaev had got into several fights with fellow fighters including one with his last UFC opponent, Portugal’s Kape who also returns this weekend at UFC Tampa. For now, he is set to put this behind him in order to continue with his incredibly promising career.

    It was announced shortly after his UFC departure that he had re-signed with his former home before he stepped inside the Octagon, BRAVE Combat Federation. His return at BRAVE CF 91 at the Khalifa Sports City Arena in Bahrain sees him take on a short notice replacement opponent in Filipino flyweight Joevincent So.

    In a recent interview with Fight Book MMA, Mokaev spoke about his mentality after what he has been through in the past few months and how it hasn’t derailed his dream of proving himself to be the best in the world.

    “I see a lot of people recognize that I’m one of the best Flyweights in the world. But I believe I’m still young, I’m still not in my prime,” Mokaev stated. “I’m winning because of my hard work. I think once I get in my physical prime, like around 26 or 27, I’ll be even stronger and that’s when you’ll see the difference. I will be the pound-for-pound number one fighter in the world! When you’re going against the best in the world, you have to sacrifice everything. That’s what separates a champion from a non-champion.”

  • Manel Kape: Referee Mike Beltran Should Have Been Fired For ‘B*tch Move’ In Muhammad Mokaev Fight

    Manel Kape: Referee Mike Beltran Should Have Been Fired For ‘B*tch Move’ In Muhammad Mokaev Fight

    UFC flyweight contender Manel Kape is set to return this weekend in Tampa where he closes out his 2024 campaign by facing off with the dangerous Bruno Silva at the Amelie Arena. This contest will be his first fight back since his controversial clash with Muhammad Mokaev at UFC 304 in Manchester this past July.

    There was a lot of tension between the two men throughout fight week that spilled over once they got inside the Octagon. However, once the fight itself had actually started, it wasn’t the most exciting contest. Mokaev’s win should’ve seen the undefeated contender solidify his status as the next in line for a flyweight title shot but instead, the UFC chose to not re-sign him after he had no fights left on his deal.

    Considering all of the drama between them in the lead up to their fight, it’s not surprising that Kape isn’t upset about his former opponent departing the promotion. During his media day interviews, “Starboy” labelled “The Punisher” as “dirty”, accusing him of committing multiple fouls in their fight that changed the outcome.

    Kape also places some of the blame for that fight on the third man inside the Octagon, referee Mike Beltran. He believes that he was having to do Beltran’s job for him after the official failed to spot and penalize Mokaev’s infringements and for that, he thinks Beltran should have also been forced to leave.

    “What is even worse is the referee. I don’t think he was a man; it was a b*tch move,” Kape said. “He was looking at him when he grabbed my shorts, and when I dropped my hands to lose the position, Mokaev still grabbed my shorts out of fear because it was one of my favorite submissions, the kneebar. I felt the victory in the moment. If I had gotten the victory, no one would have called the fight boring because I would have finished him.

    “The referee should have taken a point; he didn’t do his job. Mokaev got fired, and one of the other people that should have been fired was the referee, as he didn’t do his job…the referee was the main issue. Listen,” Kape continued. “There was also an issue when I punched Mokaev, and he put a finger in my eye, so I gave my back because it was bad, and the referee didn’t do anything…I felt in that fight that I was a fighter and referee because it was me who stopped the fight multiple times…there were multiple fouls, and I think the UFC should fire him as well. So, it was just Mokaev.”

    Watch Kape’s full media day interview via MMA Fighting below:

  • Muhammad Mokaev Gets Replacement Opponent On 2 Days’ Notice For First Fight Since UFC Exit

    Muhammad Mokaev will face a late-notice replacement opponent this week, keeping the date for his first outing since exiting the UFC intact.

    Mokaev enjoyed an undefeated run in the UFC during a three-year stint, rising up the ladder in a fashion that saw many predict potential championship glory in his future. And by getting the better of Manel Kape at UFC 304 in Manchester this past July, the Dagestan-born Brit appeared to be close to the front of the queue.

    But more than just being snubbed for Alexandre Pantoja’s subsequent title defense, “The Punisher” was eliminated from the equation altogether when the UFC opted not to renew his contract.

    The decision came after he struck Kape at a hotel during fight week, with UFC CEO Dana White suggesting a number of issues away from the cage left the matchmakers with negative views on the young fighter.

    After his push for an immediate Octagon return fell on deaf ears, Mokaev put pen to paper on a deal with his former organization, Brave Combat Federation. His debut was later confirmed for this weekend’s Brave CF 91 event in Bahrain.

    Disaster struck just days out from the card, with Mokaev’s opponent Luthando Biko withdrawing due to a health issue. Fortunately, it’s not taking long for Brave CF to secure a new foe, with Joevincent Soe stepping in for a 130-pound catchweight. The news was first reported by MMA Fighting’s Guilherme Cruz.

    The 24-year-old didn’t address the news of his first opponent’s withdrawal himself, instead reposting a number of comments on X calling for his re-signing with the UFC in the aftermath of Pantoja’s submission victory over Kai Asakura this past weekend.

    “The Cannibal’s” UFC 310 triumph has left him short on fresh challenges to his reign in 2025, only adding to the confusion of many when it comes to the decision to let Mokaev go.

  • Tatsuro Taira Tops ESPN’s ’25 Under 25′ MMA list, Muhammad Mokaev Takes Tenth

    Tatsuro Taira Tops ESPN’s ’25 Under 25′ MMA list, Muhammad Mokaev Takes Tenth

    ESPN has published it’s MMA 25 under 25 list for 2024 which highlights the top young and rising talent in the sport today. As the list itself states, it isn’t always a perfect predictor of who will go on to achieve success at the highest level but it does group together the young competitors that are showing the most promise right now.

    For example, in 2019, the top two picks in A.J. McKee and Sean O’Malley have certainly gone on to deliver on their potential whilst the following three names in Edmen Shahbazyan, Nasrat Haqparast and Aspen Ladd have all had varying degrees of success.

    Topping the list this time around is Japan’s Tatsuro Taira who is the #5-ranked contender in the UFC’s flyweight division. Even in his last fight where he suffered the first loss of his 17-fight pro career against Brandon Royval, it was clear that Taira belongs at the top of the 125-pound division following six wins inside the Octagon.

    His fellow countryman Rei Tsuruya has also scored high (#4) and at 22-years old, he will look to earn his second consecutive win in the UFC when he returns against Stewart Nicoll at UFC 312 in February. The second spot belongs to Raul Rosas Jr. who is likely to be a fixture of these lists for a few more years given that he’s still only 20-years old despite having five UFC appearances already under his belt.

    Coming in at number three is the highest ranked woman on the list with Iasmin Lucindo currently occupying the #7-ranking in the UFC’s strawweight division. One of this year’s winners of The Ultimate Fighter, Mairon Santos, rounds out the top five.

    Across the top 10, there are two names that don’t currently compete in the UFC and they land at #9 and #10. The younger brother of Zabit Magomedsharipov, Khasan Magomedsharipov, is undefeated at 10-0 with his latest Bellator win coming in June.

    Former UFC flyweight contender Muhammad Mokaev is set to make his BRAVE CF return on December 13 after he parted ways with the UFC following his seventh consecutive win in the promotion over Manel Kape. The #10-pick was placed at #2 in 2023’s list and though he might not be in the UFC right now, he’s clearly still one of the best flyweights in the world at 24-years old. Interestingly, five of the top 10 are men’s flyweights.

    Check out the full list below:

    1. Tatsuro Taira
    2. Raul Rosas Jr.
    3. Iasmin Lucindo
    4. Rei Tsuruya
    5. Mairon Santos
    6. Denise Gomes
    7. Felipe dos Santos
    8. Joshua Van
    9. Khasan Magomedsharipov
    10. Muhammad Mokaev
    11. Stephanie Luciano
    12. Tom Nolan
    13. Luana Santos
    14. Cameron Saaiman
    15. Austin Bashi
    16. Lucas Brennan
    17. Kevin Vallejos
    18. Francisco Prado
    19. Fatima Kline
    20. Shanelle Dyer
    21. Nurullo Aliev
    22. Rongzhu
    23. Tereza Bleda
    24. Makoto Takahashi
    25. Kade Ruotolo
  • Muhammad Mokaev’s First Fight Since UFC Departure Announced

    Muhammad Mokaev’s First Fight Since UFC Departure Announced

    The MMA return of the undefeated flyweight Muhammad Mokaev has been confirmed for BRAVE CF 91 on December 13. In his return to the promotion where he made his pro debut, “The Punisher” will face Luthando Biko at the Khalifa Sports City Arena in Bahrain.

    Mokaev was announced to have re-signed with the promotion shortly after his parting of ways with the UFC opened up a lot of questions about his future. He initially left BRAVE with a record of 5-0 before going on to make his UFC debut in March of 2022 in London.

    After submitting Cody Durden in less than a minute of being inside the Octagon, it was clear that this incredibly accomplished amateur was going to be one to watch. Subsequent wins over Charles Johnson, Malcolm Gorden, Jafel Filho and Tim Elliott only added to that.

    Beating Alex Perez and Manel Kape via decision put him right into the flyweight title picture even if both fights weren’t the most entertaining but his conduct inside the Octagon wasn’t why his UFC career ended as it was still getting started. Dana White announced in his UFC 304 post-fight press conference that the promotion would not be re-signing Mokaev after he fought out of his contract due to the issues he has created outside of the cage.

    His next opponent, Biko, will also be making his BRAVE debut having fought the majority of his career in South African promotion, EFC. The 34-year old has a record of 12-3 and is a former EFC flyweight and bantamweight champion.

    After leaving that promotion, he has earned back-to-back wins on UAE Warriors and French promotion ARES FC before stepping into the biggest fight of his career to date. BRAVE CF 91 will be the first event in a double-header for the promotion with two events taking place in Bahrain within a few days of one another.

    Bantamweight champion Nkosi Ndebele is set to return in the main event on December 13 to defend his title against Nicholas Hwende. Ndebele recently won back-to-back fights against former UFC fighter Jose “Shorty” Torres to close out their trilogy for the 135-pound title.

  • Muhammad Mokaev’s Rumored Opponent For First Fight Post-UFC Exit Revealed

    Muhammad Mokaev’s Rumored Opponent For First Fight Post-UFC Exit Revealed

    Muhammad Mokaev is still yet to make his return to MMA following his controversial UFC departure earlier this year. The promotion chose not to re-sign him following his seventh consecutive win inside the Octagon over Manel Kape.

    Mokaev has since signed with Brave CF, the promotion where he had most of his early pro fights before joining the UFC back in 2022. Mokaev did recently make his competition return in a grappling match loss to Rogério Bontorin but now, there are rumours of a potential MMA opponent being lined up for him.

    Rather than Brave looking to attract a former UFC fighter or name that fans may be familiar with, recent reports from Вестник ММА on X suggest that Mokaev could be taking on a fighter that is seemingly on the same path that he was once on.

    The undefeated Asaf Chopurov has been very impressive during his six-fight pro career having fought on promotions like RCC in Russia and UAE Warriors. In six wins, he’s got five finishes with four of them coming in the first round.

    What makes the 22-year old so exciting is that like Mokaev in the early days of his pro career, Chopurov amassed so much experience during his amateur career that he’s already fighting at a high level despite being so young in his journey.

    As a former three-time Russian MMA and IMAAF world champion, Chopurov ended his amateur career with an overall record of 30-1. Mokaev, for reference, left behind arguably the most impressive amateur career to date at 22-0.

    Chopurov may not be a household name just yet but he’s an undefeated star on the rise who could become that in the near future. Facing Mokaev at this stage in his career could be a huge moment for the rising prospect.

  • Muhammad Mokaev Mocks Apparent UFC Release Of Longtime Rival

    Muhammad Mokaev Mocks Apparent UFC Release Of Longtime Rival

    The UFC roster tracking accounts reported that following this weekend’s UFC Fight Night at the Apex in Las Vegas, Jake Hadley has been cut from the roster. The Brit was looking to make it back-to-back wins at bantamweight but came up short.

    His original opponent, Brady Hiestand, withdrew from the bout on fight week and was replaced by Cameron Smotherman who came in for his UFC debut. “White Kong” ended his run in the promotion with a record of 3-4 and this news wasn’t going to slip past a former rival of his.

    Despite some pleasant exchanges between them on social media in more recent times, the feud between UK flyweights Hadley and Muhammad Mokaev has gone on for a long time at this stage. This came to ahead in the UFC when they shared the card with one another at UFC 286 in March of last year.

    Both men are no longer with the promotion after Mokaev’s contract wasn’t re-signed, leading him to return to his former promotion of Brave CF. After seeing the news of Hadley’s UFC departure, Mokaev looked to get the last laugh.

    Hadley responded, telling his long-time rival to finally set the fight up between them by getting Brave CF to reach out to him now that he is no longer under contract with the UFC.

    “Tell brave ring me how much they saying lil man”

    This followed a previous exchange where Hadley offered to step in and replace Raul Rosas Jr. who was set to grapple Mokaev at ADXC 6 this Friday. “The Punisher” will now face Brazil’s Rogerio Bontorin at the event instead.

    If Brave CF are able to get Hadley to sign so they can make the fight, this would be a great bout for them to put together that would generate some serious interest. Hadley also shared the following post on social media after the PFL’s Dan Hardy commented on the news of his recent release.

  • Muhammad Mokaev Lines Up Ex-UFC Fighter After Rosas Jr. Grappling Clash Fizzled

    Muhammad Mokaev Lines Up Ex-UFC Fighter After Rosas Jr. Grappling Clash Fizzled

    Muhammad Mokaev has found a new opponent for his upcoming grappling matchup after the unfortunate cancellation of his fight with Raul Rosas Jr.

    Mokaev was originally slated to headline ADXC 6 against the rising UFC bantamweight contender Rosas Jr. next weekend at the Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. However, earlier this week, the promotion had to cancel the October 25 matchup due to unexpected developments.

    “The Punisher” will now take on former UFC fighter Rogerio Bontorin in the main event of the grappling card, as recently confirmed by the Brazilian’s manager, Stefano Sartori, on social media.

    Mokaev boasts an undefeated record of 12-0 as a professional, and despite maintaining a 7-0 streak in the UFC, the 24-year-old Russian was released from the promotion in August. UFC CEO Dana White explained the decision to part ways, citing a series of out-of-competition issues that caused matchmakers to hesitate in offering him a new contract.

    In a post on X, “The Punisher” appeared to assert that the UFC is still holding him back by preventing Rosas Jr. from facing him.

    Meanwhile, Bontorin was part of the UFC from 2019 to 2022. He fought a total of six times, securing victories over Magomed Bibulatov and Raulian Paiva before enduring a challenging four-fight losing skid that included defeats against Ray Borg, Kai Kara-France, and Brandon Royval.

    Bontorin’s latest fight took place at a RIZIN event in October 2023, and he currently boasts a professional record of 17-5, with 11 of those victories achieved via submission.

  • Muhammad Mokaev Claims UFC Has Blocked Raul Rosas Jr. From Grappling Him

    Muhammad Mokaev Claims UFC Has Blocked Raul Rosas Jr. From Grappling Him

    Muhammad Mokaev was set to make his competition return this weekend at the ADXC 6 grappling event in Abu Dhabi. “The Punisher” was announced last week to be headlining the card against UFC bantamweight Raul Rosas Jr.

    The contest certainly would have attracted lots of attention with Mokaev returning for the first time since his UFC departure. Not to mention that the event would be taking place the day before UFC 308 goes down at the Etihad Arena.

    Unfortunately, their meeting on October 25 appears to be cancelled and Mokaev is pointing the finger as to why he will no longer be in action against Rosas Jr.

    In a post on X, the undefeated flyweight announced the news and stated that it is the UFC that are to blame after they prevented Rosas Jr. from making the walk at the Mubadala Arena.

    UFC fighters taking grappling matches in other promotions isn’t anything new but given the narrative surrounding Mokaev, it makes sense why the MMA leader may have put their foot down if what he’s saying is true.

    The event is set to feature several other UFC fighters who still appear to be on the card, including Umar Nurmagomedov. ADXC said in their post that a new main event will be announced for the card.

  • Muhammad Mokaev Set To Grapple UFC Fighter In Abu Dhabi One Day Before UFC 308

    Muhammad Mokaev Set To Grapple UFC Fighter In Abu Dhabi One Day Before UFC 308

    After departing the UFC following his win over Manel Kape at UFC 304 in July, Muhammad Mokaev is set to make his return to competition later this month. “The Punisher” was announced to have re-signed with BRAVE CF where he previously fought before making his way to the Octagon.

    However, Mokaev’s next outing will not see him return to MMA just yet as instead, a grappling match against a well known name is just around the corner.

    Just one day before UFC 308 takes place at the Etihad Arena, Mokaev is set to compete against Raul Rosas Jr. on October 25 at ADXC 6. After several rumours and teases from both parties, the match-up was confirmed by Red Corner MMA.

    Mokaev won seven fights in a row after signing with the UFC and likely would have been next to fight for the flyweight title had the promotion chosen to re-sign him. Instead, in the immediate aftermath of UFC 304, Dana White announced that they would be cutting ties with Mokaev for several reasons.

    Despite his clear talent, the 24-year old was involved in several confrontations outside of the cage that made certain figures at the UFC less than fond of working with him.

    As for Rosas Jr., he made history on his UFC debut by becoming the youngest fighter to have ever competed inside the Octagon at just 18 years old. After winning his spot on the roster via the Contender Series, he’s won his last three in a row at bantamweight to rebound from a loss to Christian Rodriguez.

    ADXC 6 is set to take place at the Mubadala Arena on Friday, October 25.

  • Muhammad Mokaev Claims His Pay Is Three Times Higher After UFC Release

    Muhammad Mokaev’s UFC departure may have seen his title ambitions on MMA’s biggest stage take a hit, but the same seemingly can’t be said for his bank account…

    Mokaev surprisingly found himself outside of the sport’s leading promotion shortly after his latest win at UFC 304 in Manchester this past July. In a lackluster affair, the Dagestan-born Brit outpointed Manel Kape to move to 13-0 as a pro and 7-0 in the UFC.

    With a victory over “Starboy,” Mokaev was anticipating a potential title shot. But seemingly owing to his conduct behind the scenes, “The Punisher” was instead let go after fighting out his contract.

    The 24-year-old was quick to complain about the decision publicly, even offering to fight for free if it would allow him back into the UFC. His efforts evidently fell on deaf ears, however, and he’ll need to put the work in outside of the Octagon to stake his claim for a new deal.

    And while he goes to work in a bid to show his worth to Dana White and co., he’ll apparently be collecting increased purses along the way…

    Mokaev Banking More After UFC Exit, Brave CF Re-Signing

    Mokaev’s attempt to impress the UFC higher-ups and force a re-signing will come in familiar surroundings, as he’s returned to the promotion he competed in prior to joining MMA’s top organization, Brave CF.

    And while responding to a fan on social media recently, the elite flyweight claimed he’s receiving three times as much pay in the Middle East-based promotion as he did under the UFC banner.

    Mokaev later commented publicly himself, claiming to be the “highest paid flyweight fighter in the world” in a social media post.

    Despite the lucrative position he’s seemingly found himself in, however, “The Punisher” reiterated that his goal remains a return to the UFC.

    “Highest paid flyweight fighter in the world right now without holding the title @bravemmaf But of course my goal is come back to UFC because it is the number 1 promotion in the world right now!”

    It remains to be seen when Mokaev will return to action in his new promotion, and whether a strong run of results there could re-open the door back to the UFC and the flyweight gold currently held by Alexandre Pantoja.

  • ‘Mokaev & Chandler Might Have To Share This One’ – Fans Debate Which UFC Fighter Has Taken The ‘Biggest L’ In 2024

    ‘Mokaev & Chandler Might Have To Share This One’ – Fans Debate Which UFC Fighter Has Taken The ‘Biggest L’ In 2024

    The UFC has long been a proving ground where legends are forged, but in this arena, triumph is fleeting for those who fail to time their moves and play their cards wisely.

    Some fighters ascend to their full potential, while others struggle to break through the barriers holding them back. It’s unfortunate to see those with the potential for success fall short of what they were meant to achieve, and what they could have ultimately become.

    Popular MMA fan account Dovy on X recently polled their followers on who they believe took the “biggest L” in the UFC this year. The question sparked a flurry of responses from the MMA community, with many pointing to figures like Michael Chandler and Muhammad Mokaev as major candidates for this dubious distinction.

    Chandler has been sidelined since his third-round submission defeat to Dustin Poirier at UFC 281 in November 2022, eagerly awaiting the realization of a highly anticipated bout with Conor McGregor.

    Following that fight, “Iron” took on the role of coach opposite McGregor on The Ultimate Fighter 31, with the expectation that the two would clash sometime in 2023. Despite frequent speculation throughout the past year, the bout never materialized. It was eventually scheduled to headline UFC 303 this past June, but just over two weeks before the event, “The Notorious” withdrew due to an injury, leaving Chandler once again in limbo.

    Many contend that, at 38 years old, the former Bellator MMA lightweight champion might have taken another fight in the interim to remain active and maintain his momentum.

    In contrast, Mokaev’s situation is markedly different. “The Punisher” was released from the UFC last month, a decision attributed by UFC CEO Dana White to a string of off-the-Octagon complications that led the matchmakers to hesitate in offering him a new contract.

    Mokaev was riding an undefeated seven-fight streak in the Octagon and was widely regarded as one of the brightest talents in the flyweight division. With his dominant grappling-heavy style, he was seen as a potential future champion. But now, he’ll need to find a way back to rejoin the world’s premier MMA promotion.

    MMA Fans Debate Which UFC Fighter Experienced The Biggest Career Slide This Year

    Combat sports enthusiasts responded with a flurry of opinions on which UFC fighter experienced the most significant career downturn in 2024.

    “Chandler, and he hasn’t even fought, lol. He was promised a fight vs. McGregor this year, but it got canceled, and then Dana White said in press conferences that the McGregor vs. Chandler fight won’t be happening this year and that it will happen next year instead”

    “Clearly Mokaev lol”

    “Mokaev and Chandler might have to share this one”

    One fan proposed that the former UFC interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson deserves the nod, given he’s currently enduring an eight-fight losing streak.

    “The guy with the longest ‘L’ streak in UFC history!”

    Another fan humorously suggested that he should be deemed the recipient of the “biggest L” of the year due to his string of unsuccessful betting parlays.

    “Me on these UFC parlays”

    https://twitter.com/deeecreates/status/1828950061801451571

    “Michael Chandler 100%, it’s been 655 days since he fought”

    https://twitter.com/MMAAndyx/status/1828970606660116627

    One fan jokingly remarked that the real “biggest L” should go to the fellow fans who have had to endure the constant frustration of questionable decisions from UFC judges.

    “The fans via robbery decisions”

    One user commented that it should be former longtime middleweight champion Israel Adesanya after experiencing the first back-to-back losses of his career, with his most recent setback coming against Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 305.

    “Adesanya is having a rough year”

    “Michael Chandler, lol. Wasting years of his life for a McGregor fight that probably won’t ever happen.”
    https://twitter.com/VicConnects/status/1828962481424732169

    “Mike Mallot. Hype train Derailed in his home town by Neil Magny”

  • Muhammad Mokaev Signs With New Promotion Following UFC Departure

    Muhammad Mokaev Signs With New Promotion Following UFC Departure

    Muhammad Mokaev finally has a new home after his public departure from the UFC last month. “The Punisher” has signed with Brave CF, where he previously competed prior to the UFC.

    Mokaev’s signing was first reported by the BBC before the promotion put out a press release announcing his signing.

    In a statement in the release, Brave CF president Mohammad Shahid said Mokaev and his talents were welcome with open arms, and he appeared to accuse other promoters, including UFC CEO Dana White, of trying to defame the Dagestan-born Brit’s character.

    “There has been an unjust persecution of his character and attempts to use defamation to feed personal vendettas, and is evidently clear that there are no clear reasons as to why the best athlete in the world cannot compete,” Shahid stated. “This is not what the sport is all about, and for BRAVE CF to have him back is fantastic, and he now can become a voice for all these challenges. Not only that, his return solidifies our ethos to have the best fight the best irrespective of any other variable, be it of creed, sex, color or marketability.

    “We would like to welcome back Muhammad Mokaev, an undefeated superstar, who is an amateur legend, with two IMMAF world titles, and someone who has proven to be the best flyweight in the world, with no losses to his amateur or professional record. This is a very exciting time for Brave CF.”

    Muhammad Mokaev Signs With Brave CF Following UFC Departure

    Mokaev made his professional MMA debut with Brave CF in 2020, scoring a decision win over Glenn McVeigh at Brave CF 37. Five of the seven fights Mokaev had prior to signing with the UFC were in the organization, with “The Punisher” going 4-0 (1 NC).

    Mokaev later went 7-0 in the UFC and was a top flyweight contender. However, he was not re-signed by the promotion, with White criticizing Mokaev in a UFC 304 post-fight press conference for “so much bad s*** that happened behind the scenes.”

    That card saw Mokaev defeat Manel Kape in a lackluster outing after a fight week that included multiple confrontations between the pair, including one where Mokaev sucker-punched “Starboy.”

    PFL’s Ray Sefo later added that he had heard Mokaev was a “pain in the ass” and the promotion was not interested in him.

  • PFL CEO Contradicts President’s Rejection Of Muhammad Mokaev: ‘He Could Absolutely Be The Future Face Of Flyweights Within PFL’

    It doesn’t appear that the PFL higher-ups are on the same page when it comes to undefeated flyweight Muhammad Mokaev.

    Prior to the UFC 304 pay-per-view event in Manchester last month, Mokaev appeared to be in prime position to secure a shot at Alexandre Pantoja’s 125-pound gold. Many suggested all that was required was a victory over Manel Kape at the Co-op Live.

    After a dramatic fight week that included him sucker-punching his opponent outside a hotel, “The Punisher” had his hand raised in a three-round fight that certainly underdelivered given the pair’s apparent animosity.

    Mokaev was the subject of plenty of criticism online for his fight style, but the bad news didn’t end there for the 23-year-old, with UFC CEO Dana White surprising many by revealing the promotion wouldn’t be offering the Dagestan-born Brit a new contract.

    White cited antics behind the scenes that rubbed Hunter Campbell and the matchmakers the wrong way as the reason behind letting Mokaev go, and it initially appeared that the Professional Fighters League had been put off by that.

    Following the PFL 7 Playoffs card on August 3, company president Ray Sefo was asked whether his promotion was entertaining the idea of pursuing Mokaev’s signature.

    “I’ve spoken to people in the know and, apparently, he’s just a pain in the ass to deal with,” Sefo said. “And so, no, we’re not interested.”

    That sentiment appeared to be backed up by ex-Bellator matchmaker Mike Kogan, who was among those who crossed over to the PFL following the promotion’s acquisition of his former employer.

    Kogan refuted Mokaev’s claims that discussions had been had, insisting that nobody at the PFL had shown “even an oz of interest.”

    But one man does appear interested — the PFL CEO, no less…

    Peter Murray Sees ‘Opportunity’ With Muhammad Mokaev After UFC Exit

    Peter Murray recently spoke with Sherdog ahead of the PFL’s press conference for Francis Ngannou vs. Renan Ferreira and final playoff event at The Anthem in Washington D.C. this week.

    The promotion’s CEO discussed his desire to open up more divisions for future PFL seasons, including a flyweight class. And in terms of who could spearhead a 125-pound roster down, Murray pointed to a talent virtually branded persona non grata by his fellow PFL executives.

    “I do think the flyweight category is something we will be getting into in the future,” Murray said. “I know our guys are looking at it. You look at fighters like Muhammad Mokaev; he’s a 13-0 flyweight from Dagestan. This kid has the second-longest winning streak in UFC flyweight history. He was 23-0 as an amateur. When I look at a kid like that, that’s an opportunity.

    “Whether it’s Muhammad coming into the PFL system in one of our franchises, whether that be the global season or Bellator, and others like him, I think it’s a real opportunity — in particular with international talent in the flyweight weight class,” Murray continued. “Muhammad is the real deal; a lot of respect for him.”

    Donn Davis, you got a third answer to the Mokaev question?

    It didn’t take long for Mokaev to take notice of Murray’s positive comments, seemingly enjoying seeing Sefo’s dismissive remarks quickly contradicted.

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