When Muhammad Mokaev was unexpectedly released by the UFC despite an undefeated record, fans and analysts were left puzzled. With a 7-0 UFC record, the second-longest win streak by a flyweight in UFC history, many believed Mokaev was on track for a title shot, which made the decision to release him even more surprising. Following his UFC departure, he returned to BRAVE Combat Federation, where he has found success. Now, Mokaev will explore a new opportunity, this time in a striking ruleset.
Mokaev has announced his upcoming debut in Karate Combat, scheduled for May 2 in Dubai at Karate Combat 54. This debut marks a significant shift in Mokaev's combat sports career.
The 24-year-old fighter shared his enthusiasm on social media, stating, "My first ever sport was karate, then I moved to wrestling. I just wanna compete and stay active and build my striking experience. I always will have plan B which is wrestling but I need to work on plan A."
After an undefeated tenure in the UFC, Muhammad Mokaev was unexpectedly released following a lackluster decision victory over Manel Kape at UFC 304. UFC CEO Dana White cited undisclosed behind-the-scenes issues as the reason for Mokaev's departure.
Undeterred, Mokaev returned to BRAVE Combat Federation, where he began his professional career. At BRAVE CF 91 in December, he secured a first-round submission win against Joevincent So, reinforcing his status as a formidable competitor in MMA.
A debut in Karate Combat for Mokaev is an opportunity for him to revisit his martial arts roots and enhance his striking capabilities. The promotion is renowned for its full-contact karate bouts, featuring a unique pit design and dynamic rule set that emphasizes stand-up fighting while allowing limited ground-and-pound. This platform will enable Mokaev to diversify his skill set and showcase his versatility as a fighter.
It will be intriguing to see how Mokaev's wrestling-heavy approach will translate into the striking-focused environment of Karate Combat. This career move, seemingly out of nowhere, displays his commitment to evolving as a martial artist as well as his dedication to adaptability in the face of seemingly insurmountable setbacks.
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