UFC fighter Muhammad Mokaev tells other refugees to 'not lose hope'

  • Muhammad Mokaev spoke to presenters Gamal and Lucy about his journey to the North West as a refugee and his dream to be the youngest UFC champion in history.

UFC fighter Muhammad Mokaev has urged other refugees fleeing war to "not lose hope".

Known as "The Punisher", the 22-year-old fled to England from Dagestan, in Russia, with his father at the age of 12 after his mother passed away.

They were placed in a refugee camp in Liverpool upon their arrival, being given £5 a day to get by, and soon after moved to Wigan to live their news lives.

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Muhammad Mokaev takes on Brazilian opponent Jafel Filho. Credit: PA Images

Now, he has an undefeated record and is moving up the rankings in the flyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

But Muhammad has never forgotten the "tough journey" he undertook with his father to build a better life in the UK.

"I think going through the refugee process, and being in a refugee centre, builds you stronger mentally and gets you ready for life," he told ITV News.

Muhammad Mokaev wants to be the youngest UFC champion ever. Credit: PA Images

Speaking directly to other refugees, he said: "Don't lose hope, even if you came here with nothing. You can't think in your head 'I have nothing'.

"If you have a goal, put yourself first and be a little bit selfish. Go through your journey and find yourself."

Muhammad's goal is to eventually be the youngest UFC champion in the history of the competition.

"I want to tell the whole world that you don't need a lot of support or a lot of money to become something great", he said.

Muhammad Mokaev (right) refused to tap out when Brazil's Jafel Filho put him in a dangerous kneebar submission. Credit: PA Images

"Even if you come from a refugee centre, and have a lot of problems, you can become still become whatever you want to be."

He continued to say: "I want to be the the youngest UFC Champion in the history of UFC.

"I am going to tell my daughter that you don't need a lot of money or support to become something great. Right now I fight for my family."

Muhammad found himself in a precarious position in the third round of his fight against Jafel Filho at the O2 Arena on 18 March.

Muhammad's swollen knee. Credit: Muhammad Mokaev/ Instagram

The Brazilian mixed martial artist hyperextended Muhammad's knee in a dangerous kneebar submission.

The Wigan fighter, however, powered through the pain, refusing to tap out, and secure a  win moments later.

Mokaev later admitted that it had come at a cost and shared a picture of his swollen knee on social media.

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