Muhammad Mokaev may very well be only one main transfer away from difficult for UFC gold.
The 23-year-old flyweight contender fights Alex Perez this Saturday at UFC Vegas 87, and the bout has some unexpectedly excessive stakes within the aftermath of a pivotal UFC Mexico Metropolis matchup.
This previous weekend, 125-pound champion Alexandre Pantoja was cageside to witness Brandon Royval earn a hard-fought break up determination win over Brandon Moreno. Theoretically, the bout was to supply a No. 1 contender to combat Pantoja at UFC 301 in Rio de Janeiro, however with Pantoja having defended his title in opposition to Royval simply two months in the past, the door is now open for recent challenger to face throughout Pantoja within the Might 4 essential occasion.
Mokaev has executed the mathematics and sees a win over Perez as the ultimate a part of the equation that earns him a championship alternative.
“My DMs had been full after Brandon Royval vs. Brandon Moreno,” Mokaev stated at UFC Vegas 87 media day. “Everybody was like, ‘Go after combat with Pantoja.’ I’ve educated with Pantoja after my debut and I haven’t seen something particular in him, like he has precedence in talent benefit. This [week] he truly stated that he wish to combat me as a substitute of Brandon Royval.
“Brandon Royval, I believe he has an [injury]. Brandon Moreno is 0-3 in opposition to Pantoja. Royval, 0-2 in opposition to Pantoja. [Manel] Kape in all probability going to have another combat as a result of he didn’t make weight final combat. [Amir] Albazi is injured. Kai Kara-France acquired the concussion, as a result of once I requested to combat him, [UFC matchmaker] Mick [Maynard] stated, ‘He’s acquired a concussion so he gained’t be capable to combat you.’ Now I’m the one challenger, however I’ve to beat Alex Perez in a powerful manner.”
Mokaev joined the UFC in 2022 with an abundance of professional and novice expertise and has but to style defeat, successful his first 5 UFC fights. Although his wrestling-heavy model hasn’t at all times produced impactful offense, “The Punisher” has nonetheless managed to submit 4 opponents contained in the octagon.
He’s targeted on taking Perez out inside the space if that’s what it takes to impress the followers and matchmakers.
“If it’s a choice or one thing like this, I do know individuals don’t prefer it,” Mokaev stated. “After I had a choice in opposition to Charles Johnson, I wasn’t pleased with myself as a result of I do know I can end these guys. I’m younger, hungry, loopy, and I would like to complete these guys after which I’m going to combat for the belt.”
4 months shy of his twenty fourth birthday, Mokaev will fall simply wanting the UFC file for youngest champion even when he manages to e book the Pantoja combat and emerge victorious at UFC 301. At the moment, the file is held by Jon Jones, who claimed his first UFC title at 23 years and 242 days.
It’s a file that Mokaev focused earlier in his profession, however that he’s not fearful about it within the slightest as his dream of turning into champion creeps nearer to actuality.
“Pay attention, if UFC needed me to turn into UFC champion, they might have executed that earlier,” Mokaev stated. “They need to preserve Jon Jones [with the record], it’s OK, if that’s their plans what can I do about it?
“I referred to as out everybody. I acquired a giant harm in March and I used to be able to combat in August in Boston, however I couldn’t get a ranked opponent. Mick stated, ‘I can get you a debutant,’ I stated, ‘No, I desire a ranked opponent.’ So I needed to wait till October for Tim Elliott. In the event that they needed to do that, they might make it, as a result of I used to be able to combat anytime.”
