ABU DHABI – Muhammad Mokaev beat Malcolm Gordon with a third-round submission Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi.
Take a look inside the fight with Mokaev, who was the biggest favorite on the card at nearly 12-1.
Mokaev on the fight’s key moment
Oct 22, 2022; Abu Dhabi, UAE; Muhammad Mokaev (red gloves) defeats Malcolm Gordon (blue gloves) during UFC 280 at Etihad Arena. Mandatory Credit: Craig Kidwell-USA TODAY Sports
“He thought ‘I’m slipping out,’ but I was setting up a reverse triangle. He put his head (there) and I took his arm. He’s actually good at armbars, so I finished him at his own game.”
Mokaev on submitting a black belt
Oct 22, 2022; Abu Dhabi, UAE; Muhammad Mokaev (red gloves) defeats Malcolm Gordon (blue gloves) during UFC 280 at Etihad Arena. Mandatory Credit: Craig Kidwell-USA TODAY Sports
“I don’t care about his (jiu-jitsu) black belt. I wanted to actually finish him because he talked about his black belt. I don’t care about his black belt. I’m a black belt in my heart from my life experience. But about his (actual) belt, I don’t give a sh*t.”
Mokaev on what he wants next
May 7, 2022; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Brandon Royval celebrates his victory by submission against Matt Schnell during UFC 274 at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
“Both (Brandon Royval and Amir Albazi) are not my league. If I have good rest now and I fight in March, I will smoke both guys in the same night. Royval, if you think he’s a different level fighter, watch his fight against Charles Johnson (in LFA). … I’m ready to fight in December. ”
To hear more from Mokaev, check out the video of the full post-fight interview above.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 280.