Muhammad Mokaev Returns to BRAVE and Submits So
Muhammad Mokaev’s next promotion was no longer a mystery by late August 2024: after leaving the UFC, the undefeated flyweight re-signed with Brave Combat Federation, where he began his professional career. He later returned at Brave CF 91 and submitted Joevincent So in the first round.
UFC run ended after a win
Mokaev closed his UFC run with a unanimous-decision victory over Manel Kape at UFC 304 in Manchester on July 27, 2024. The judges scored it 29–28, 29–28 and 30–27. UFC CEO Dana White said afterward that the promotion would not offer Mokaev a new contract; White cited issues outside the cage, while Mokaev publicly disputed that characterization and said he hoped to return.
The departure drew attention because Mokaev had won all seven of his UFC fights and remained a leading flyweight contender. Rather than move to ONE Championship or PFL, as fans speculated at the time, he returned to Brave CF, the Bahrain-based promotion where he had competed before joining the UFC.
Return to Brave CF
Brave announced Mokaev’s return in August 2024. He was initially scheduled to face Luthando Biko at Brave CF 91, but Biko withdrew shortly before the event. Joevincent So replaced him, and Mokaev won by D’Arce choke at 1:52 of the first round on December 13, 2024.
The result gave Mokaev a successful first fight outside the UFC and continued his unbeaten professional record.
Brave CF 91 result: Muhammad Mokaev def. Joevincent So by submission (D’Arce choke), Round 1, 1:52.
Sources
- Brave CF: Mokaev signs with the promotion
- UFC: UFC 304 official scorecards
- MMA Fighting: Mokaev stops So at Brave CF 91
Sources: bravecf.com; mmafighting.com
Tags
MMA, Combat Sports
