Promising flyweight prospect Muhammad Mokaev made a huge splash in his octagon debut at UFC London last month — and he’s ready for more.
After openly campaigning for a fight and expressing frustration at the lack of opponents willing to throw down with him, Mokaev finally has a dance partner. He’ll face promotional newcomer Charles Johnson, a former LFA flyweight champion, on July 23.
While an official venue or location has yet to be announced by the promotion, the date is expected to see the UFC return to London, England.
News of the match-up was first reported by ESPN.
Mokaev (6-0, 1NC) expressed his gratitude at finally landing an opponent on social media. “Finally someone stepped up, crazy how many people in this game are scared but respect to this opponent for saying yes,” the Dagestan-born Brit wrote. “I will smash him and then the guys in the rankings can’t run anymore.”
Finally someone stepped up, crazy how many people in this game are scared but respect to this opponent for saying yes. I will smash him and then the guys in the rankings cant run anymore @ufc
Thanks to my management @ParadigmSports and UFC matchmaker @Mickmaynard2 #TWINZZ— Muhammad Mokaev (@muhammadmokaev) April 21, 2022
Making his UFC debut at the O2 Arena in London roughly one month ago, the decorated amateur champ absolutely smoked opponent Cody Durden. A flying knee flattened Durden; Mokaev then latched on with a guillotine to force the tap.
It all came in under a minute.
Charles Johnson (11-2) won LFA’s interim flyweight championship last July, then unified the title the following month with a stoppage of Joao Camillo. Back in January, he defended the belt against the highly touted Carlos Mota, securing a TKO in the fifth round.
No other bouts have been reported for the UFC’s July 23, 2022 event.
