Latest news with #MuhammadMokaev
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jake Hadley hopes PFL tournament triumph leads to domestic dust-up with Muhammad Mokaev
Jake Hadley and Muhammad Mokaev have been going back and forth for years and Birmingham's 'White Kong' plans to throw down the gauntlet to his nemesis once he claims the PFL's bantamweight tournament championship. When both became free agents last year it was hoped that they would finally get an opportunity to end their war of words and subsequently quench the bloodlust of the watching world. However, Mokaev returned to Brave and as far as Hadley is aware there was no interest from the Middle East promotion to host the clash. Advertisement 'There's been no talk of me fighting him since leaving UFC,' Hadley told Uncrowned, days out from his semifinal bout with Marcirley Alves. 'There has been talk from him on social media saying, 'When Jake loses in the first round of the tournament I want to do a one-off fight in the PFL so I can beat him up,' or something like that. If PFL would have him and he was open to it I think it would be great. 'He was offered a fight with me in the UFC and he turned it down. He'll say that's because he was ranked above me, but I don't know. I think he talks a good game more than anything.' Hadley's journey with the UFC came to an end last October, but he felt like he was behind the eight ball from the get-go. Although he stepped up on short-notice on several occasions for the company, he could never shake a bad reputation he gained seemingly from nowhere. Advertisement 'There was always, 'the matchmakers don't like him,' and this and that,' he recalled. 'I heard they didn't want to sign me. It's crazy to me because I've never spoke as much as two words to Mick Maynard. I spoke to Sean Shelby a couple of times. I guess what I'm trying to say is, I have no issues with them, but I really don't know why they have issues with me if that is true.' 'You know they cut me once? They cut me for not taking a flyweight fight on four weeks' notice. The only reason I didn't take the fight was because of the weight. I told them I had done a DXA Scan and had been told I was already too big for the weight division. They cut me for three days and then re-signed me.' Offers came from all corners of the world when Hadley's surprising UFC exit became public knowledge. PFL made most sense for him and based on the spectacular Scottish twister finish he recorded in his debut, his new home appears to fit like a glove. 'Fighting now doesn't feel like the same pressure and I think that's resulted in me performing better in the cage. For a long time I was fighting in a place where I believed they didn't like me. Every time I fought I felt like if I didn't win I was going to get cut. Every time I was offered a fight I felt like I had to take it or I was going to get cut. It put that much pressure on me that I feel like I was going in there and trying not to lose instead of going in there and doing what made me in the sport — going in there to kill guys,' he explained. Advertisement Now a father, Hadley realizes how much the tournament prize of $500,000 could change his young family's life. 'I've got the opportunity of a lifetime here. It would've taken me eight or nine fights to make the kind of money I'll make when I win this tournament. I think winning this tournament will prove that I'm the best bantamweight outside of the UFC, like Merab and people like that. I get to prove a lot of people wrong, and a lot of people right.' Hadley admittedly puts every opponent he faces on a pedestal. 'This is the best geezer I've ever fought,' he tells himself every time, but it might be a little bit more true this time around. Despite his brilliant stoppage in the quarterfinals, he believes Alves' win over Leandro Higo was the most impressive of the round. He also underlined the Brazilian's nine knockouts in thirteen fights as something to be wary of. Advertisement After such an impressive debut, you wouldn't doubt Hadley's chances of securing the bantamweight tournament title. And with PFL always on the hunt for eyeballs, it's hard to argue with the Renegade fighter's views on the potential of a prospective showdown with Mokaev: 'Why doesn't he come over here then? We could do a big fight in the U.K. It's a big domestic fight and it would sell well for PFL and make us a good amount of money. I'll win the tournament, he can come over here and we'll do it. I don't see why that can't happen,' he said. 'I don't think the UFC are going to have him back. He was [a] proper nuisance. He used to try fight people in the back — he tried to fight me in the back. Let's do it for real when I win this thing.'
The National
6 days ago
- Sport
- The National
Muhammad Mokaev plots UFC return after Dubai victory: 'I am the only one who can beat Pantoja'
A foot injury towards the end of the first round failed to slow down Muhammad Mokaev as he completed a unanimous decision victory over Brazil's Thomas Assis in the 971 Fighting Championship, stretching his perfect MMA career record to 15-0. Despite him hobbling back to his corner at the end of opening session, the British-Dagestani flyweight used his superior grappling skills to prevail in the main event of an entertaining 14-fight card at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai on Saturday. 'I feel amazing with the result and in front of an awesome crowd on my first appearance in Dubai,' Mokaev, 24, told The National. 'I twisted my foot at the end of the first round. So, basically, I just did what I could. The important thing is I am still undefeated.' Assis, 31, entered the cage with a career record of 12-2 (win/loss) and was a late replacement for the Kazakh Alisher Gabdullin, who was originally slated to meet Mokaev. 'He was a great opponent. He came with a 12-fight winning streak,' added Mokaev. 'The 971 FC president Mounir Lazzez has done an amazing job to make this fight happen in Dubai, which is an international venue for many world-class sporting events. It's also easier for my people to come and support me. 'Dubai was on my bucket list and I have now ticked it. I would like to thank all my fans in the UAE. It doesn't matter where I fight, they're coming and supporting me. I will never forget your support and [I will] bring the [UFC] belt to Dubai one day.' Mokaev was a rising star of the UFC, going unbeaten (7-0) in the promotion, but his contract wasn't renewed because of issues away from fight night. UFC supremo Dana White said Mokaev wasn't retained 'for many different reasons', implying outside-the-cage problems. 'My time in the UFC was great even though something didn't go as I wanted. Still, Dana [White], Hunter [Campbell] and Mick [Parkin] gave me the opportunity to show my skills on the biggest MMA platforms in the world,' added Mokaev. 'All this situation, not being re-signed, made me sit and re-watch my circle and see stuff outside and it made me grow. I rather face this adversity than getting cut by losing. I'm still young and if I keep staying focused, more doors will open. 'I don't like to talk more about it because it can go against my career. Whatever happened, I look past it and want to just learn from the situation and move on to not make the same mistakes I have already done.' Mokaev has left his prospects of returning to the UFC up to the organisers, but will continue to take on all the opportunities to fight in any promotions that might come his way. 'I just want to go out and compete everywhere I can,' he said when asked if he was expecting a return to the UFC. 'I believe I am the only one who can beat Pantoja in that division. I always train and am ready to go, maybe I just cut down on burgers and fizzy drinks, the rest I do the same wherever I am, in the UFC, Brave CF, or 971 FC. 'My main goal is to become the best in the world in my weight category. Right now, I face some adversity in my career but winning the [UFC] belt will taste much better. 'I came to the UK as a refugee. I just thank God that I have home and food, the rest is just part of the journey.'
Time Out Dubai
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out Dubai
A huge MMA championship is coming to Dubai – here's how to get tickets
Get ready for one of the biggest MMA events the GCC has ever seen, as the 971 Fighting Championship comes to Dubai. Bringing together some elite talent from around the world, you can grab a front-row seat to all of the action on Saturday June 14. Transforming the Coca-Cola Arena into a world-class production, you'll get to witness a series of fights from bantamweight to featherweight and get swept up in the adrenaline-filled sport. Showcasing both elite professional talent and rising stars, the main event of the evening will be a clash between undefeated bantamweight fighter Muhammad Mokaev and experienced talent Alisher Gabdullin, who has an impressive 15 wins behind him. Other MMA bouts will include Mousah vs Junior in a lightweight fight, as well as Gallagher vs Soares in a featherweight event. A special competition in the MMA world, the 971 Championship was built by fighters for fighters, powered by a love for the sport and understanding of the industry. Set to have you on the edge of your seat all evening, doors open at 4.30pm, with the lineup to begin from 5pm. Apart from some amazing wrestling action, you'll also witness legendary American rapper Lloyd Banks set the stage on fire with his Y2K hits. With 14 bouts on the night featuring a mix of rising local names and international talent, you're in for a full evening of action that highlights how far MMA has come in the UAE — and where it's headed next. The owner of 971 MMA & Fitness Academy is a Dubai-based Tunisian mixed martial artist Mounir Lazzez who competes in the Welterweight division. He's the first fighter born and raised in an Arab country to be signed on the UFC. Get your tickets now at and
USA Today
07-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Muhammad Mokaev makes MMA return in 971 FC's June main event in Dubai
Muhammad Mokaev makes MMA return in 971 FC's June main event in Dubai Muhammad Mokaev has remained active since parting ways with the UFC. After leaving the UFC, Mokaev has competed in grappling, MMA, and Karate Combat. In his return to BRAVE FC, the undefeated flyweight submitted Joevincent So in the first round this past December. He then scored a second-round knockout over Bolat Zamanbekov at Karate Combat 54 this past Friday. Now, Mokaev (13-0) will look to continue his run in MMA when he takes on Kazakhstan's Alisher Gabdullin (15-4) in a bantamweight bout, which headlines 971 Fighting Championship June 14 at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, promotion officials announced Tuesday. Mokaev went 7-0 in the UFC from March 2022 to July 2024, and was on the cusp of title contention before the promotion decided to part ways with him.
USA Today
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Karate Combat 54 video: Muhammad Mokaev debuts with nasty body shot finish
Karate Combat 54 video: Muhammad Mokaev debuts with nasty body shot finish Muhammad Mokaev continued life outside the UFC on Friday with a successful debut at Karate Combat 54. The undefeated flyweight MMA standout Mokaev, who had a well-documented exit from the UFC despite his high ranking, saw his desire to keep active lead him into a different form of a combat sport, but the result was the same as all his others. Mokaev got the second-round knockout victory over Bolat Zamanbekov in their 125-pound matchup in Dubai, landing a stabbing kick to the body that folded his opponent and led to the stoppage (via X): After the fight, Mokaev was pleased with his performance and said it's the next step in getting his career to where he ultimately wants it to be. "I feel amazing," Mokaev said in his post-fight interview. "I want to compete as much as possible. I just want my goal to become the best in the world. There's some bumps in the road, but it happens. I made some mistakes. I'm going to make more mistakes. But it makes me who I am today, and thanks to everyone for supporting me."
