UFC Made a Mistake Releasing Muhammad Mokaev, Says Khabib Nurmagomedov
Khabib Nurmagomedov believes Muhammad Mokaev would become UFC flyweight champion if the promotion gave the unbeaten British-Dagestani fighter a title opportunity. Speaking to Smol Talk, the former UFC lightweight champion pointed to Mokaev’s wrestling base as the key factor in his prediction.
Khabib Nurmagomedov Says UFC Overlooked Muhammad Mokaev Despite His Undefeated Record
“If they give Mokaev a shot, he will be the champion too. He’s also a wrestler,” Khabib said. Nurmagomedov expanded on why he sees wrestling as MMA’s most reliable foundation. “When you have a wrestling background, you’re in control of where the fight goes. Wrestling will always dominate.”
Mokaev left the UFC in July 2024 after defeating Manel Kape by unanimous decision at UFC 304 in Manchester. That result completed a 7-0 UFC run, which included submission wins over Cody Durden, Malcolm Gordon, Jafel Filho and Tim Elliott, plus decision victories against Alex Perez and Kape. He finished four of those seven Octagon wins and was removed from the UFC flyweight rankings after his contract was not renewed. The decision surprised many given Mokaev’s position in the division.
Mokaev arrived in the promotion with a strong amateur record and international credentials. He went 23-0 as an amateur, won IMMAF world titles in 2018 and 2019, captured the 2019 IMMAF European championship, and previously fought for BRAVE Combat Federation before signing with the UFC in 2021.
His exit was not a result of a defeat. UFC CEO Dana White confirmed after UFC 304 that the company would not extend Mokaev’s deal, later referring to issues away from competition, while Mokaev said he still hoped for a return. He rejoined BRAVE CF in August 2024 and submitted Joevincent So with a first-round D’Arce choke at BRAVE CF 91 that December.
Since leaving the UFC, Mokaev has continued to compete across disciplines. He won MMA bouts, made a Karate Combat appearance, and later captured the BRAVE CF flyweight title with a head-kick knockout of Gerard Burns, taking his listed professional MMA mark to 16-0.
Khabib retired from MMA with a 29-0 record and the UFC lightweight title, then moved into coaching and corner work for fighters including Islam Makhachev. His assessment of Mokaev is from the approach that shaped his own career of use wrestling to decide the range, control positions, and force opponents to work from bad spots. Mokaev’s record since the UFC release gives weight to the argument that letting him go may have been a costly call.
