An old saying reads, “The gem cannot be polished without friction,
nor man perfected without trials.” The solitary basis for bringing
that to light is precisely because it depicts the journey of
Muhammad
Mokaev, a 23-year-old prospect hailing from Dagestan.
“The Punisher” came to the
Ultimate Fighting Championship with a track record that
commanded reverence. Part of the intrigue had to do with the glow
of past accomplishments, including a stellar 23-0 amateur record
and two International Mixed Martial Arts Federation titles. He was
also undefeated in six professional fights before he signed with
the world’s premier MMA organization. Another factor that added to
the intrigue can also be traced to his background. Beyond the
accolades, Mokaev’s story is one of courage and resilience, tracing
back to the rugged landscapes of Dagestan.
As Mokaev prepares to take on
Alex Perez in
a
UFC Fight Night 238 flyweight attraction, here are five things
you might not know about him:
1. He was forged from fire and steel.
Mokaev was born in the poverty-ridden town of Buynaksk, Russia.
After the tragic passing of his mother, 12-year-old Mokaev and his
father made the journey to England because of his father’s
political issues with the homeland. They were placed in a refugee
camp in Liverpool upon their arrival and were given a little more
than $6 a day with which to sustain themselves. Despite the
challenges they faced, they remained undeterred, eventually
settling in Wigan, where they began to rebuild their lives. It was
around 2013 when Mokaev rekindled his passion for wrestling at the
Manchester Wrestling Club. Pursuing active competition in wrestling
came next and so did the accolades. He is a two-time British
Championships medalist and an English Nationals champion. At the
junior level, he is a four-time British champion, winning the
tournament from 2014-17. Subsequently, Mokaev picked up Brazilian
jiu-jitsu and submission wrestling, becoming a two-time Abu Dhabi
Combat Club UK gold medalist in the intermediate division.
2. Battling odds became one of his specialties.
Back in the United Kingdom, Mokaev had to bridge a lot of
generational and cultural gaps growing up. This contributed to
Mokaev’s trouble-laden school years, where he found himself
embroiled in occasional fights. However, Mokaev emphasizes that
these altercations were not entirely rooted in racial tensions but
rather stemmed from his own mentality. Reflecting on his past,
Mokaev recognizes that his propensity for conflict stemmed from
psychological factors and a need to channel energy into something
meaningful. He found that calling in training, and there was no
looking back.
3. He has turned setbacks into new ventures.
Mokaev began competing in amateur MMA in 2015, partly by choice and
partly by chance. At that time, athletes with refugee status were
unable to travel and compete in international wrestling
tournaments. Mokaev sought new avenues to showcase his athletic
abilities and pursue his passion for combat sports. MMA offered him
an opportunity to test his skills in a competitive arena and
provided a platform where his refugee status would not hinder his
participation. He went on to compete predominantly on the European
circuit before spreading his wings to Bahrain and Australia. In
doing so, he was hardened by experience, amassing 23 victories in
his amateur career and capturing multiple championships.
4. Interests outside of competition vie for his time.
Mokaev revealed in an interview with UFC.com that he pursued
studies in business. While his academic journey laid a foundation,
there is not much information about it. The Dagestani also found
himself in various roles to make ends meet, including distributing
leaflets. These experiences, though humbling, served as a testament
to his work ethic and resourcefulness.
5. He has post-MMA plans.
Mokaev is not in the sport for the long haul. Ahead of his fight
against
Charles
Johnson in 2022, Mokaev reflected on his MMA career’s
longevity. The Dagestan-born fighter stated that he wants a life
outside MMA. While he acknowledges that he loves training and
competing, his contemplation extends deeper. Mokaev candidly shared
several factors that pushed him into the consideration of a finite
fighting career. These factors are rooted in religious beliefs and
a yearning for family time. The way he sees it, he does not want to
linger around as he is gradually becoming more and more
family-oriented. Instead of solely pursuing athletic glory, Mokaev
prioritizes holistic fulfillment. He also highlighted prohibition
against fighting in Islam and a growing sense of inner conflict
that continued pursuits may run counter to his spiritual beliefs.