Muhammad Mokaev to face Charles Johnson in second UFC appearance
After a stunning start to his UFC career, England's Muhammad Mokaev is set to face a former LFA champion in his second octagon appearance.
Two-time former IMMAF champion and undefeated pro Muhammad Mokaev has been handed a solid test for his second bout in the UFC.
England's Mokaev will take on former LFA flyweight champion Charles Johnson at a UFC Fight Night event on July 23, per reports from ESPN's Brett Okamoto. At the time of writing, the event doesn't have a confirmed location or venue.
Mokaev's rise has been a remarkable one. After amassing a 22-0 amateur record that included a string of amateur titles, including two world championships, Mokaev turned pro and built his resume with an impressive stint with Bahraini promotion Brave CF.
In a landmark week for his life and career in 2021, Mokaev received his UFC contract, then his British passport, as the fighter who had left Dagestan as a boy with his father to start a new life in the north of England finally became a British citizen.
Mokaev has already represented England and the UK with distinction on the amateur stage, and he's looking to achieve even greater success as a pro. He has his eye on Jon Jones' record as the youngest champion in UFC history, and the 21-year-old made a flying start to his UFC career with a stunning first-round submission of Cody Durden at UFC London in March.
Now Mokaev is targeting the top names in the division, and he faces a legitimate threat in the form of LFA champ Johnson, an 11-2 fighter who is set to make his octagon debut at the event.
Johnson is in excellent form, and will head into the bout riding a four-fight win streak against Mokaev, who is undefeated at 6-0 as a pro.