LONDON – Muhammad Mokaev already has multiple names in mind with a win at UFC Fight Night 208.
Mokaev (6-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) meets Charles Johnson (11-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC) on Saturday’s prelims, which take place at The O2 in London. The card streams on ESPN+.
If the undefeated rising star walks away with another win, he wants to start his assent up the flyweight rankings and sees either Tim Elliott, Jeff Molina or Matt Schnell as possible next opponents.
“Jeff Molina ranked No. 15 now, Tim Elliot. I know Tim Elliott doesn’t turn fights down,” Mokaev told MMA Junkie and other reporters at a pre-fight news conference Wednesday. “Last time I called him out and I didn’t know he had an opponent, and now he’s free. I’m free for October, November (at) Madison Square Garden, Abu Dhabi (in) October, so whatever date he’s free, I’m free too. So I think these are good opponents. There’s Matt Schnell, just beat my good neighbor Su (Mudaerji).”
Mokaev burst onto the UFC scene by submitting Cody Durden in less than a minute in March. He now draws promotional newcomer Johnson, but Mokaev says that’s the best option he could get.
“I couldn’t get anybody in the rankings,” Mokaev said. “I don’t think anyone accepted it because I’m an unranked fighter, and Charles is a good opponent, LFA champion on UFC Fight Pass, and he’s a good guy to beat.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 208.
Muhammad Mokaev’s hit list after UFC London includes Tim Elliott
