Muhammad Mokaev is determined to alter public perception through his exceptional performance.
After an impressive run of seven consecutive victories in the flyweight division, Muhammad Mokaev`s unexpected departure from the UFC following UFC 304 came as a surprise. The undefeated fighter seemed poised for a shot at the 125-pound title after securing a unanimous decision win over Manel Kape. Despite this, Mokaev has continued his unbeaten streak, fueling fan demand for his return to the UFC.
In a recent exclusive interview with Bloody Elbow, `The Punisher` drew an unexpected parallel concerning his public image.
Muhammad Mokaev References Colby Covington`s Perceptual Shift in UFC
Mokaev is slated to compete for the inaugural BRAVE flyweight title on November 7, at the promotion`s 100th milestone event. During his conversation with Bloody Elbow leading up to the fight, comparisons were drawn between his UFC trajectory and that of Merab Dvalishvili.
UFC President Dana White has acknowledged a shift in his opinion regarding the bantamweight champion, Merab Dvalishvili, following Dvalishvili`s impressive title run, despite initial disagreements. Mokaev identifies similarities not only with Dvalishvili but also with Colby Covington.
Covington revitalized his UFC career in 2017 by embracing a controversial persona, which significantly boosted his profile and value within the promotion, altering how he was perceived. Mokaev, who is scheduled to face Ireland`s Gerard Burns next month, aims to emulate this by consistently demonstrating his elite fighting prowess.
“I believe Colby Covington experienced a situation similar to mine, and also Merab`s. You can change anyone`s opinion by changing yourself and delivering results. You can`t dwell on the negative; you simply have to perform better. As Dana White mentioned, one can become a champion elsewhere. I will achieve championship status elsewhere, and now my focus is on how I achieve that championship – specifically, how I will finish Gerard Burns. That`s what`s most important.”
Muhammad Mokaev Focused Solely on Being the Best Fighter
Muhammad Mokaev is convinced that his potential return to the UFC hinges entirely on the quality of his performances. While a dominant performance in a title fight could bring `The Punisher` closer to the Octagon, he asserts that this isn`t his primary focus.
Mokaev is maintaining the approach that initially brought him to the UFC: confronting each challenge head-on, though he is visibly driven to make a strong impression in his upcoming bouts.
“Everything depends on the performance. Right now, I cannot look past Gerard Burns, regardless of his caliber as a fighter; we must stay focused,” Mokaev explained to Bloody Elbow. “That`s precisely what brought me to where I am today. I remain focused on the opponent directly in front of me. We`ll see what happens. For now, I`m with BRAVE, and I feel comfortable here.”
