After quick UFC debut win, Muhammad Mokaev wants Tim Elliott to fast-track his way to title contention
LONDON – After a long amateur career, Muhammad Mokaev is starting to make a name for himself as a pro.
In his promotional debut Saturday to open the card at UFC Fight Night 204 at The O2 in London, Mokaev (6-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) needed less than a minute to submit Cody Durden (12-4-1 MMA, 1-2-1 UFC). His guillotine choke finish happened in just 58 seconds.
Now Mokaev wants to start to fast-track his way up the flyweight division. At just 21, Mokaev wants to break Jon Jones’ record to become the youngest champion in the promotion’s history. He said a fight against former title challenger and “Ultimate Fighter” winner Tim Elliott would be the kind of matchup that could get him into the next level of the division.
“Top 15 guys – I know there’s top 10 guys like Tim Elliott. I’d love to fight him. I know maybe people say it’s too fast – you have to go through the guys. If Cody would have beat me tonight, he’d have been top 15. … So why not put me in the top 15? I’ll fight anyone in the top 15 and I’ll be fast-tracked to the title. He’s been around this game for a long time.”
Check out Mokaev’s full post-fight interview in the video above.