Muhammad Mokaev names 4 fighters who allegedly backed out against him

Muhammad Mokaev, the undefeated former UFC flyweight, has claimed that four elite grapplers backed out of scheduled matches against him in a single week. The 16-0 fighter alleged that he signed agreements with ONE Championship titleholder Adriano Moraes and UFC flyweights Asu Almabayev, Alibi Idiris, and Ramazonbek Temirov, only for all four to withdraw the following day.

Mokaev announced on social media that the experience was a "crazy week," highlighting the frustration of last-minute cancellations. After failing to secure bouts with those four opponents, he eventually found a willing competitor in Moris Boleian, an 8-1 grappler who has finished all eight of his professional wins via submission. The pair will face off for the ACBJJ 60kg Grand Title on August 30 at Ora Arena in Istanbul, Turkey.

Since his UFC exit in 2024, Mokaev has remained active across multiple combat disciplines. He has finished three of his four MMA victories and one Karate Combat win since departing the UFC. On the grappling circuit, however, Mokaev suffered a setback when he faced a significantly heavier Arman Tsarukyan in his most recent match. Boleian brings impressive submission credentials to their upcoming clash but will enter as the underdog after his only career loss came via split decision at UAE Warriors in January.