Undefeated flyweight Muhammad Mokaev (11-0) has been working his way up the divisional ladder since arriving in the UFC, and the next test arrives this Saturday at UFC Vegas 87.
That test comes in the form of Alex Perez, a former flyweight title challenger who fell to Deiveson Figueiredo a few years back.
“I already went through one challenger for the title, it was Tim Elliott. Now Alex Perez,” Mokaev observed during this week’s UFC Vegas 87 media day. “Step by step.”
Step by step has been key for Mokaev, who added that “I never want to skip everyone else, I think it’s a big disrespect to the division. But I just want to become UFC champion. Like when I joined the UFC, that’s why I didn’t care about the respect but I respect the division. It’s been two years, this is my sixth fight.”
Six fights, five wins so far, and Mokaev sits ranked #8 in the 125lb division. At just 23-years old, he’s only one spot behind Perez himself.
Speaking of Perez, “he’s not a bad opponent,” Mokaev allowed, “but I fought like— Tim Elliott is the toughest challenge in the division, out of all opponents I fought in the UFC. There’s nothing Alex Perez brings to the cage I haven’t seen. I’m 23-0 as an amateur, 11-0 [as a pro]. I had my debut in 2020. Alex Perez, from 2019, only had five fights in the UFC. 3-2. From 2020 this is my thirteenth fight professional, because I had one No Contest and eleven professional fights.”
Muhammad Mokaev believes beating Alex Perez in an “impressive way,” with so many other contenders in the division injured or otherwise unavailable, could even land him a title shot. Even with Alexandre Pantoja likely taking part in UFC 301 in May in Brazil.
“Ten weeks from March 2. I already counted. I’m ready,” exclaimed Mokaev. “Like I said, I have big experience in amateur career, I can fight every weekend.”
Watch the full UFC Vegas 87 media day appearance by Muhammad Mokaev above.
