Muhammad Mokaev wants to be backup for Alexandre Pantoja vs. Brandon Royval flyweight title fight at UFC 296

ABU DHABI – Muhammad Mokaev wants UFC gold around his waist as soon as possible, and he’s willing to go to any length to achieve that.

Mokaev, a rising flyweight contender, is hoping the UFC uses him as a backup for the upcoming flyweight title bout between champion Alexandre Pantoja and Brandon Royval on Dec. 16 in the UFC 296 co-main event in Las Vegas.

“I’m ready,” Mokaev told reporters at the UFC 296 post-fight press conference. “I’ve never missed weight – even in my debut against Cody Durden I made championship weight. I can make it. If they want, I can be backup – whatever fight they want.”

This request comes after Mokaev (10-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC) submitted former UFC title challenger Tim Elliott (19-13-1 MMA, 8-11 UFC) in the preliminary card of Saturday’s UFC 294 at Etihad Arena.

It was his fifth consecutive victory since entering the UFC in 2022.

“Amazing emotions,” Mokaev said of his win over Elliott. “I feel very happy. I still don’t believe I’ve put my full performance yet. They tried to bully me. They don’t try to fight me with fight IQ. These guys think, ‘OK, this young, overhyped, fifth time overhyped inside the UFC octagon …’ They don’t work smart. That’s why I just have to grind them out.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 294.