Mokaev claims his UFC 280 win over Gordon was 'a 50% performance'

Muhammad Mokaev claims his UFC 280 win over Malcolm Gordon was ‘a 50% performance’ and admits doctors almost pulled him out before fight as he suffered from ‘crazy temperature’

  • Muhammad Mokaev remains one of Britain’s brightest rising stars in the UFC
  • He moved to 3-0 in the organisation with victory over Malcolm Gordon
  • Mokaev was not at his razor sharp best but still managed to find the finish 
  • Afterwards he revealed he was suffering with illness ahead of the bout 

Muhammad Mokaev had a ‘crazy temperature’ and was feeling extremely unwell ahead of his win over Malcolm Gordon at UFC 280.

The British rising star moved to 3-0 in the organisation and still holds an ambition to become the youngest ever champion. 

Mokaev looked slightly lacklustre at points against Gordon but submitted him in the third round. 

Mohammad Mokaev suffered lapses of concentration during his win over Malcolm Gordon

The Russian-born 22-year-old is highly self-critical and as an explanation for what he deemed to be a below par showing, admitted his preparation was hampered. 

He told the MMA Hour: ‘I can say this because my team saw this, about 10 days before the fight I had crazy temperature.

‘I spoke to my manager and team, they said maybe we can ask to do catchweight with this fight, or maybe pull out. I said, ‘Listen, please, no,’ I talk to doctors, I’ll take antibiotics.

‘My concentration level went down because of the antibiotics. If you go to training on antibiotics, they’ll understand what I’m talking about. I’ve had this in the past in my career and I got through it. Even with 50 percent of who I am performance-wise, I still beat these guys. I would [still] beat any of these top-15 guys. That wasn’t my 100 percent performance.

‘I was worried about weight more than the fight,’ Mokaev added. ‘I told my team that I would still make weight. It was difficult because of the antibiotics. I didn’t put much weight on [after], but it’s OK. I showed I have B-plan. That was 50 percent performance.’

He went on: ‘I believe if I fight Malcolm Gordon again, I finish him in the first round. I was so confident he couldn’t finish me.

‘I could finish, [win by] decision — what could they say when I’m one step closer to my dream? I remember saying, ‘I’m going to be the most active fighter, take the belt,’ and I’m very, very close to my goal. 

The British 22-year-old is aiming to become the youngest champion in UFC history

‘I believe I’m maybe one fight from fighting for interim belt. I want to fight straight away, top-10 guys. People think I’m a boring fighter, but show me who [else] deserves it? I’m the most active flyweight on the roster and I’m game to fight anyone in the division.’

Mokaev is in search of a top 10 opponent next and wants to fast-track his rise through the rankings. 

There’s no doubting his pedigree as a decorated world amateur champion and he looks set for a very long career at the top in the UFC.  




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