UFC flyweight contender Muhammad Mokaev failed in his quest to unseat Jon Jones from the youngest champion throne, but he puts the blame for that down to the promotion's preference.
With a lengthy undefeated amateur record and perfect professional slate early into his career in tow, Mokaev arrived on mixed martial arts' biggest stage in 2022 with considerable hype behind his name.
And the Dagestan-born promised big things, even backing himself to have gold wrapped around his waist at a younger age than record-holder Jones.
That journey got underway on the right foot when Mokaev reeled off three wins in his debut year, including submissions of both Cody Durden and Malcolm Gordon. He subsequently rose the ranks by getting the better of Tim Elliott last October and former title challenger Alex Perez this past March.
But March also marked the point at which Mokaev saw his hopes of breaking Jones' youngest champ record slip away. Nevertheless, he maintains that if given the opportunity, he'd be the one sitting in the record books right now...
Mokaev Suggests UFC 'Didn't Want' Him To Break Jones' Record
During a recent interview with Title Sports Network's Kaz Crossley, Mokaev looked ahead to his upcoming return to action at UFC 304 and assessed his current standing in MMA's premier promotion.
When asked about his goals, "The Punisher" expressed a reluctance when it comes to outlining future plans after not achieving his ambition of becoming the UFC's youngest champion.
And when it comes to that failed pursuit, Mokaev believes he was fighting against the promotion's own preference for the record to remain in the hands of Jones.
It's hard for me to say my goals now because once I said I want to become youngest UFC champion and it didn't work out. I don't want something to announce. if it comes, it comes," Mokaev said. "I believe I could have been youngest UFC champion. Jon Jones become youngest UFC champion when he was 23 years old and nine months. I'm still 23.
I think I'm the most active after Jon Jones from the young generation. I think I could have got it, but just maybe UFC didn't want me," Mokaev continued. "I think Jon Jones is a star, American star. I think they want to keep him there, one hundred percent.
While wrestling Jones' record away is now a goal of the past, Mokaev still has the flyweight gold in his sights.
His next step toward securing a first shot at it comes on home soil at UFC 304 in Manchester next weekend, with Manel Kape looking to bounce back from a pair of fight cancellations this year and secure a second dance with champion Alexandre Pantoja at the Brit's expense.