Muhammad Mokaev believes the UFC didn’t want him to break Jon Jones‘ record as the youngest champion in promotional history.
11-0 in his mixed martial arts career, ‘The Punisher’ has dispatched six-straight opponents since making Octagon debut in 2022. Following a big win over Alex Perez in March, Mokaev hoped his name would be called upon to challenge flyweight titleholder Alexandre Pantoja two months later at UFC 301. Unfortunately, the promotion had other plans.
Instead, the UFC awarded the title opportunity to Steve Erceg, an Aussie standout with only three fights inside the Octagon.
The UFC’s decision ultimately killed Mokaev’s dream of becoming the youngest champ of all time—something he believes may have been by design.
“It’s hard for me to say my goals now because once I said, I want to become youngest UFC champion. It just didn’t work out,” Mokaev told Title Sports Network. “I don’t want to like, something to announce. If it comes, it comes, because I thought, I believe I could have been youngest UFC champion. Jon Jones became youngest UFC champion when he was 23 years old and nine months. I’m still 23.
“I think I’m the most active after Jon Jones from the young generation. I think I could have got it, but just maybe UFC didn’t want me. I think Jon Jones is a star, American star. I think they want to keep him there, one hundred percent,”
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Muhammad Mokaev Could Earn His UFC Title Shot with a Win Over Manel Kape in Manchester
Though he may not have a chance to become the youngest ever, Mokaev is still likely one big win away from a shot at the 125-pound crown. Standing in his way will be Manel Kape, a 19-6 fighter who has seen his fair share of ups and downs in his short time with the UFC.
The two will square off on July 27 when UFC 304 emanates from Co-op Live in Manchester. ‘Starboy’ goes into the bout riding a four-fight win streak, including victories against Ode Osbourne, Zhalgas Zhumagulov, David Dvořák, and Felipe dos Santos. But with all due respect to his prior opponents, Mokaev will undoubtedly be Kape’s toughest test to date.
With both fighters sitting firmly in the flyweight top 10 and the division desperate for a new challenger, there’s a solid chance that the winner will face Pantoja in late 2024/early 2025.
Until then look back at Mokaev’s third-round submission victory over Jafel Filho at UFC 286 below:
