Ex-UFC Flyweight Muhammad Mokaev is looking for competition wherever he can find it.
Of course, “The Punisher” remains persona non grata with Dana White and the UFC for the vicious sins of … being difficult to work with? Is punching Manel Kape at the UFC PI (understandable) so bad? Since UFC opted not to resign the top-ranked 125-pounder, Mokaev has returned to BRAVE FC, the familiar haunts of his pre-UFC career. He’s already returned to the win column in impressive fashion (watch here), but that’s not enough to get the talented 24 year old back in the Octagon.
In addition to fighting for BRAVE, Mokaev has appeared on the jiu-jitsu circuit on more than one occasion. It’s a wise move for staying sharp and in the headlines, but jiu-jitsu has the benefit of being relatively safe. Conversely, venturing into a kickboxing match as a wrestling ace is a dangerous move, but it’s a gamble Mokaev is apparently willing to take.
Earlier this week, upstart striking promotion Karate Combat teased Mokaev’s signing. It wasn’t clear in what capacity Mokaev would be competing, however, as Karate Combat has held BJJ matches in the past as well. On Thursday, Mokaev made the official announcement himself, clearing the air and making it clear he intends to throw down on the Karate Combat event scheduled for May 2nd in Dubai.
“My first ever sport was karate, then I moved to wrestling,” he wrote on X. “I just wanna compete and stay active and building [sic] my striking experience. I always will have plan B which is wrestling but I need to work on plan A.”
I can remember Mokaev dropping Cody Durden with a flying knee, but otherwise, I mostly remember Mokaev dropping down to shoot anytime somebody swung at him. Historically, Plan A is the takedown, and nobody has managed to force him to enact Plan B at all in his undefeated career.
Perhaps a stellar KO win would be the motivation White and company need to give Mokaev another shot?
