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Muhammad Mokaev: The Next Dagestani Dynamo

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If you took 100 people and told them to make a list of their top 100 places they’d like to visit, the Republic of Dagestan likely wouldn’t be on any of them. In fact, most of, if not all of those 100 people have probably never even heard of Dagestan… that is unless they’re an MMA fan. 

Thanks to fighters such as Khabib Nurmagomedov, Islam Makhachev and Zabit Magomedsharipov, Dagestan has become a factory known for producing some of the best fighters in the world. With the UFC signing flyweight prospect Muhammad Mokaev, it appears that there’s a new premium export coming out of the Caucasus Mountains. 

Where Mokaev differs from the other fighters from Dagestan though, is that he also represents England. After facing hardships in his birthplace, Mokaev and his father sought refuge in England, spending a little under a month in a refugee centre in Liverpool before being relocated to Wigan. In order to keep his son out of trouble, Mokaev’s father encouraged Muhammad to spend time at the Wigan Youth Zone everyday.

This turned out to be extremely beneficial for the young Russian. Mokaev took up wrestling and then later became a British champion in wrestling as well as becoming a European champion in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. From there, a dominant force in the MMA world was just beginning to come to form.

Mokaev began his pro career on Aug 1 2020 for Brave CF, a promotion in Bahrain known for grooming prospects from around the globe. In that short amount of time, Mokaev has already amassed a 5-0 record, with 3 of those 5 wins coming by way of finish (2 KO/TKO, 1 Sub). Though even in the fights that went to the judge’s scorecards there was zero doubt that “the Punisher” had won the fight, winning by a unanimous decision in each of them. 

Needless to say, 5-0 with a 60% finish rate in just a year and a half of fighting professionally is extremely impressive. What’s even more impressive though is Mokaev’s extensive amateur record. Prior to turning pro, “baby Khabib” had a spotless 22-0 amateur record. These weren’t any rinky-dink fights held in a local gymnasium either. No, instead a majority of these fights came at the IMMAF World Championships, the pinnacle of amateur mixed martial arts. This spectacular undefeated run earned him back-to-back junior bantamweight titles at the premier amateur MMA competition. 

Such accolades and lengthy undefeated records don’t come from fighting timidly. Just like his nickname suggests, Mokaev is ruthless and once he gets his hands on his opponent you can bet they’re going to get punished. He’s known for his smothering wrestling style. Once the fight starts he looks for takedowns, gains top control and rains down ground and pound until he melts his opponent. 

Mokaev will be making his UFC debut on March 19th at UFC Fight Night London. There’s no doubt he’ll be looking to punish his opponent, maintain his undefeated record, and follow in the footsteps of his Dagestani brethren. 

How far can Mokaev go in the UFC? Let us know in the comments! Keep it with VMTV for all your MMA news and views.

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Paul Hughes Gets New Opponent as Oduwole Out

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Cage Warriors – Europe’s Leading MMA Organisation – have today announced a change in the scheduled opponent for Irish superstar Paul Hughes at Cage Warriors 170. 

An injury occurring just days after he signed to fight Hughes has forced Yemi Oduwole out of the contest. 

The promotion wishes him a speedy return to full health. 

CW officials have moved quickly to secure a suitable replacement, today confirming that Hughes will remain on the Saturday, April 6th bill, now facing off with Edgar ‘Smooth’ Escarrega. 

The bout will feature on the main card of CW 170 at Dublin’s iconic RDS, and air live on UFC Fight Pass and international broadcast partners. 

The 29-year-old Escarrega, who hails from the port city of Ensenada in Baja California, Mexico, brings an impressive 12-3-1 record to the contest. 

The Victory Fight Club man – who is a striker by trade – is unbeaten in his last six contests, and from twelve victories has a total of five KOs, two submissions and five points wins to his name. 

“From Mexico to the world, here I come!” said Escarrega, when signing on the dotted line for what is undoubtedly the biggest opportunity of his professional career. 

Hughes, from County Derry, is widely considered to be on the cusp of signing with the UFC following a series of impressive performances in the famous yellow gloves of Cage Warriors. 

‘Big News’ recently vacated his featherweight title, moving up to the 155lb division to stop top contender Jan Quaeyhaegens in the first round. 

Also scheduled for the CW 170 card, Dublin’s James ‘Jimbo Slice’ Sheehan contests the vacant welterweight title with Switzerland’s Daniel Konrad, with Ger Harris, Solomon Simon, Decky McAleenan, Taka Mhandu and more set to feature. 

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“I Should Get The Shot” – Jacob Smith Wants World Title Fight If He Bests Denis Puric At ONE Fight Night 21

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Fiery flyweight Muay Thai star Jacob Smith enjoyed a triumphant return to ONE Championship last December at ONE Fight Night 17 after 18 months on the sidelines. 

The Scouse striker knocked out Walter Goncalves to gain momentum in the world’s largest martial arts organization, and he plans to add to it next month.

Smith returns to action against Bosnian-Canadian powerhouse Denis Puric at ONE Fight Night 21: Eersel vs. Nicolas on Saturday, 6th April, inside Bangkok, Thailand’s historic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium. 

Fans anticipate a thunderous clash, as they are both known to finish fights. Smith feels he knows what to expect from Puric, and he plans to give him an unwelcome gift for his birthday. 

“I’m either going to stop him with the knee or stop him with an elbow. I feel like the first round is going to be quite fiery. But if he decides to rush me too early, he’s going to walk into some big shots, so I could just finish him in round one,” he said. 

“But I’m sure I’m fighting him on his 39th birthday. So, unfortunately, my birthday present is going to be me knocking him out.”

When Jacob Smith debuted in ONE Championship at May 2022’s ONE 157, he battled ONE Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion Rodtang Jitmuangnon across three rounds of hard-hitting action. 

He came up short that night via unanimous decision, and a series of injuries forced him to take time away from action afterward. But that gap seemed to have allowed him level up his skill set. 

Smith came back stronger than ever, and his first-round finish of Goncalves last December pegged him as one to watch. The #2-ranked flyweight Muay Thai contender is hoping to score back-to-back wins against Puric next month, and he knows exactly what he wants if he’s successful.

“My goal is to be ONE Championship Flyweight Muay Thai World Champion, and fingers crossed by the end of the year that comes through,” Smith said. 

“Rodtang is the champion, and Superlek is number one. After beating Walter, I’m now number two. Rodtang and Superlek are probably going fight each other again soon. Then I should get the shot at the winner after I beat Puric.”

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UFC Vegas 89 – Results | Ribas vs Namajunas

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Live from the Apex, UFC Vegas 89 saw former strawweight Rose Namajunas make her second appearance at flyweight against contender Amanda Ribas.

Note: any point deductions will be denoted by an asterisk and explained at the bottom of the page.

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Main card (2am GMT – TNT Sports)

Rose Namajunas defeats (#8) Amanda Ribas via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47) – flyweight bout

Karl Williams defeats Justin Tafa via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) – heavyweight bout

Edmen Shahbazyan defeats AJ Dobson via knockout (punches – 4:43 – R1) – middleweight bout

Payton Talbott defeats Cameron Saaiman via TKO (punches – 0:21 – R2) – bantamweight bout

Youssef Zalal defeats Billy Quarantillo via submission (rear-naked-choke – 1:50 – R2) – featherweight bout

Fernando Padilla defeats Luis Pajuelo via submission (brabo choke – 2:45 – R1) – featherweight bout

Prelims (11pm GMT – TNT Sports/UFC Fight Pass)

Trey Ogden defeats Kurt Holobaugh via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) – lightweight bout

Julian Erosa defeats Ricardo Ramos via submission (guillotine – 2:15 – R1) – featherweights bout

Miles John defeats Cody Gibson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) – bantamweight bout

Jarno Errens defeats Steve Nguyen via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) – featherweight bout

Darya Zheleznyakova defeats Monsterrat Rendon via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) – bantamweight bout

Andre Lima defeats Igor Severino via disqualification (biting – 2:52 – R2) – flyweight bout

Mick Parkin defeats Mohammed Usman via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) – heavyweight bout

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