Muhammad Mokaev wants Amir Albazi at UFC 286 in London: 'I'm a bad matchup for him'
Muhammad Mokaev has his sights set on a U.K. showdown with Amir Albazi.
Three octagon wins over Cody Durden, Charles Johnson and Malcolm Gordon have landed Mokaev a spot in the UFC’s flyweight rankings, but now, the 22-year-old is looking for a step up in competition.
Mokaev (8-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) wants a shot at Albazi (16-1 MMA, 4-0 UFC) on the UFC 286 card on March 18 in London, but is accusing Albazi of ducking him.
“I want to fight Amir Albazi in the U.K., but he doesn’t want to fight me,” Mokaev told MMA Junkie. “He said I haven’t fought anyone from the top 15, but he didn’t fight anyone from the top 15, either. So we’re at the same level, I believe. I’m a bad matchup for him. That’s why he wants to fight injured guys like Perez and all these half-broken men.”
Ok little angry man let’s fight then , you fought 4 guys outside of top 15 and now you’re looking down. March 18th tell UFC that you’re ready.
When fighters like you are scared no managers will help! https://t.co/S1tEJiRl5G— Muhammad Mokaev (@muhammadmokaev) December 24, 2022
Albazi also has impressed in his UFC tenure so far. “The Prince” has finished three of his four octagon wins. Most recently, he showed off his hands when he knocked out Alessandro Costa at UFC Fight Night 216.
Mokaev campaigned to step in for an injured Kai Kara-France against Alex Perez at UFC 284. But Perez was pulled from the card and booked against Manel Kape instead March 25.
Eager to compete, Mokaev is willing to serve as a backup for that fight. But preferably, he wants on the UFC 286 card on home soil.
“I’m just waiting,” Mokaev said. “I want to fight anyone. If I don’t get top guys, I’m ready to fight anyone. I just want to fight in the U.K. on March 18.”