Muhammad Mokaev declares himself 'the best flyweight in the world' after quick win in first post-UFC bout

Muhammad Mokaev continued his winning ways in his first post-UFC fight.

Mokaev returned to the cage on Friday at Brave CF 91 in Isa Town, Bahrain, when he took on short-notice replacement Joevincent So. As a colossal -10000 favorite, the former UFC flyweight contender performed as expected and dispatched So in just under two minutes, securing a first-round D'arce choke submission.

Luthando Biko was the original opponent for Mokaev until So stepped in on two days' notice.

The win kept Mokaev (14-0, 1 NC) undefeated and extended his Brave CF record to 5-0 (1 NC), as Mokaev competed in Brave CF throughout much of his pre-UFC career.

Video of the finishing sequence can be seen below.

“I’m ready for everyone in this division,” Mokaev proclaimed after his win.

“I will be [a] pound-for-pound [fighter] and [the] best flyweight in the world. They can deny [me], but they can’t hide. And I’m coming for everyone in the 125 division. I’m the best flyweight in the world.”

Mokaev, 24, left the UFC in controversial fashion in July after going 7-0 in the Octagon.

A title shot against reigning divisional kingpin Alexandre Pantoja appeared to be inevitable for the rising contender, however his contract expired with his final UFC victory — a largely anticlimactic unanimous decision against Manel Kape. UFC CEO Dana White revealed that same night that Mokaev wouldn't get another contract offer because of outside the cage factors and wished him well in his predicted PFL endeavors. The latter didn't happen — or hasn't yet — but Mokaev is still on the outside looking in.

Aside from his missable performance in the Kape grudge match, Mokaev got into it with Kape several times before their fight — including during fight week. He was unapologetic for his actions when speaking to the media afterward and called for his desired title shot.

Mokaev's victory Friday comes one week after UFC champion Pantoja continued his reign with a third consecutive title defense against promotional newcomer and former two-time RIZIN bantamweight champion Kai Asakura. Pantoja's progressively elevated status within the history of the 125-pound division is starting to leave him without many viable incoming challengers, prompting his callout of all-time great Demetrious Johnson post-fight. The now-retired Johnson declined the offer.

Mokaev was ranked No. 6 in the UFC's official flyweight rankings at the time of his departure.