Under the glowing lights of Karate Combat 54, a familiar name returned to the spotlight—Muhammad Mokaev. Once an unbeaten rising star in the UFC, Mokaev had vanished from the world’s biggest MMA promotion amid controversy. But in a twist worthy of a movie script, he has re-emerged with a bang!

The flyweight phenom didn’t just win. He practically folded his opponent, Bolat Zamanbekov, with a vicious kick to the body in Round 2. The fight didn’t need scorecards. Just one sharp moment with laser-like precision, and it was over.  The message was as clear as day: Mokaev isn’t done. In fact, he’s just getting started.

Mokaev’s exit from the UFC had left fans puzzled. Despite being undefeated (7-0 in the UFC), he was dropped like a bad habit. Dana White didn’t hold back. The UFC boss had stated, “I always say this: this is an opportunity to be here and to perform in front of the entire world. And [Mokaev] is just a guy that did everything wrong and p— these guys off.”

White also pointed to internal tensions and even claimed that the flyweight had rubbed the matchmakers and top brass the wrong way. It didn’t help that his last fight, against Manel Kape at UFC 304, was labeled uneventful. Mokaev had smothered his rival with wrestling for three rounds to win a unanimous decision, but the calls of the fight being ‘boring’ was another factor that may have contributed to his unceremonious exit from the promotion. But now?

Now Muhammad Mokaev is lighting a new path outside the Octagon. And the fans have seen enough to demand that the UFC head honcho let him return to the grandest stage of them all! Here’s a look at what the netizens had to say.

Ball in Dana White’s court as fans rally behind Muhammad Mokaev’s UFC return after incredible Karate Combat debut

Fans couldn’t help but wonder what might’ve been. That savage body kick? That show-stopping finish? Where was that when he was in the Octagon? Perhaps Mokaev was shackled by strategy. Maybe too cautious in his undefeated run. But now, he looks like the killer the UFC and Dana White wished they had!

One fan straight up asked: “Why didn’t bro do this in the UFC?” Mokaev’s destructive performance had fans singing a different tune. Gone was the criticism about him being ‘boring’. In its place, hope. Many believe he’s learned his lesson. That the young flyweight, who once clashed with Dana White, might deserve a second shot at glory. After all, isn’t redemption the heartbeat of every great fight story? What do you think?

Fans are sure that he’ll turn a new leaf. One advocated for him: “Bring him back, he will behave and compete properly. The UFC is for the best fighters in the world to compete with each other, Muhammad Mokaev is a part of that group.” It’s a bold claim. But after flattening Zamanbekov, fans see Muhammad Mokaev as a threat to the UFC’s flyweight king, Alexandre Pantoja. Though outside the UFC now, Mokaev’s name still lingers among elite company. The question is, is Dana White listening?

That’s exactly what one user highlighted: “If the UFC is really where the best fight the best then Mokaev needs to fight Pantoja. C’mon Dana!” This reaction cuts deep. Dana White criticized Mokaev for lacking excitement. Well, this fan believes the boss should eat his words now. After all, Mokaev delivered action, intensity, and a KO that had the crowd on their feet! “Dana, you always wanted an exciting fight, you said Mokaev has boring fights, so you should watch the fight and enjoy it”, supported another fan’s take.

Yet, not every fan is sold. Some still see Mokaev as hype without substance. A fighter who talked big but delivered safe, strategic wins. One unconvinced fan chimed in: “I don’t think he ever fought entertainingly in UFC – not saying because of his grappling, he was never entertaining or engaging, just a big mouth guy.” For these critics, one Karate Combat KO doesn’t erase years of dull showings.

In conclusion, Muhammad Mokaev has flipped the switch from wrestling wins to highlight-reel knockouts. And now, the same fans who once questioned his place in the UFC are banging on Dana White’s door, asking for his return! But honestly, the comeback trail is never straight.

Will the UFC boss reconsider? Will Muhammad Mokaev stay red-hot outside the UFC and compel the promotion to listen to the fans? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!