Muhammad Mokaev’s much-anticipated UFC debut lasted all of 58 seconds.
The highly touted flyweight, granted the opening slot on the UFC’s grand return to London in March, took out Cody Durden in a blink of an eye at The O2 Arena, first dropping his opponent with a flying knee and then locking a guillotine to secure the submission win.
Mokaev, only 21, had backed up the hefty pre-event hype. And then some.
“It felt amazing, to be honest, a perfect match-up, perfect finish for the debut,” Mokaev tells The National now, as he gets set for a second UFC outing, once more in London, this weekend against veteran Charles Johnson.
“I showed I can strike; I can submit guys. I think opponents watched this and say now, ‘He’s not just a wrestler’ - they’re worrying about my striking too.”
A two-time IMMAF world champion at bantamweight, whose 23-0 amateur record and 5-0 pro resume was built primarily on prodigious wrestling, Mokaev had sent a message to the flyweight division. Arguably, to the sport.
He is eager now to build on that electric bow. Mokaev spent some time between his first UFC appearance and the upcoming second at American Top Team (ATT) in the United States, training at the renowned stable with the likes of No-4-ranked flyweight contender Alexandre Pantoja, No 12 Su Mudaerji and hard-hitting bantamweight Pedro Munhoz.
The uptick in talent should be evident this weekend. The confidence, too.
"I have all same skills, but my mind is stronger,” Mokaev says. “Mentally I’ve improved a lot because I’ve sparred the top three guys in my division. I gave them hard rounds; they never seen these rounds before. They know what power I have. So I have every confidence that I can pass Charles Johnston.
“I believe I can finish these guys, to be honest. I’m back to the flyweight division; March was my first fight in four years at flyweight. So I feel very strong and powerful for this division.
“Now I want to show my skills more, maybe first round and then finish it second. Because I want to let the people know it’s not about hype, it’s about skills and the belief that I have.”
Of course, life has changed since his emphatic UFC arrival, with fresh sponsorships banked – Mokaev is represented by Paradigm Sport, the same agency that looks after Conor McGregor and Israel Adesanya – and more recognition coming wherever he travels.
To his credit, though, Mokaev is taking it all in stride.
“A lot of people recognise me now,” he says. “A lot of people knew about me, but they were thinking it’s all about hype, he’s just fighting amateurs. But now people are starting to believe.
“But I just follow my goal; I don’t buy into this stuff anymore. My career didn’t go super-explosive straight after my debut – it was growing slowly with each fight. I just try to stay humble, because I know if I lose nobody would care about me. That’s why I stay focus on my career.”
Johnson, then, forms the next step on that steep trajectory.
“I have met already a lot of my opponents in the amateur scene and in the gym in the past, it doesn’t affect me,” Mokaev says. “I can spar with them, I can fight them, but in the fight I’m more dangerous than I am in training.
“The guy’s old [31, with an 11-2 pro record], he’s an LFA champion, he’s been in five rounds before, he’s fit, cardio good. But when I put wrestling and grappling all together, he’s going to get gassed out. Because it’s different cardio.”
Claim the win, and Mokaev believes he will jump into the flyweight rankings. Never shy in calling out opponents already on that ladder, convincing someone thus far to take the bait has proved a little difficult.
“Last time they offered me top-15 guys, and nobody accepted,” he says. “But now I will actually be top 15, so they’ll have no choice but to fight me. Everyone will call me out.”
In theory, no more running.
“They can run,” Mokaev says. “But they can’t hide.”
To that, Abu Dhabi feels a perfect platform to coax a contender into the light. The UFC returns to the capital on October 22, with a swiftly stacked card at UFC 280 headlined by the vacant lightweight title bout between Charles Oliveira and Islam Makhachev.
Like Makhachev, Mokaev is Dagestan born, but fights out of Manchester, England, having moved there as a refugee aged 12. Keen to remain active, he has circled on the calendar September, or October, or Madison Square Garden in November.
Certainly, Abu Dhabi has particular appeal: not only given his roots, but Mokaev attributes a large portion of his rise to the prince of Bahrain, Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa. Before the UFC, he competed regularly in the Bahrain-based Brave Combat Federation.
“Abu Dhabi would be amazing because Sheikh Khalid and Sheikh Nasser [bin Hamad Al Khalifa] would come over,” Mokaev says. “I would have incredible support over there, especially because I fought in Bahrain many times. With them in my corner, the whole of Abu Dhabi would be behind me.
“And, as a kid I watched a lot of Islam’s and [retired former lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov’s] fights - they are great role models for the younger generation. It would be a pleasure to be on the same card.”
Azhar Muhammad Saul, partner and senior vice president at Paradigm, underlines the connection to the region.
“Muhammad was keen to get straight back in after UFC London in March, and this will be another good test for him,” he says. “Having spent some time with us in Dubai earlier in the year, I know just how much the region is getting behind him and his inspirational story.”
Abu Dhabi would make sense for UFC bout No 3. As for potential opponents, Mokaev cites Jeff Molina, Tim Elliott, Matt Schnell and Alex Perez as candidates. They are ranked 14th, 10th, eighth and sixth at flyweight respectively.
Clearly, Mokaev is intent on making true on his dream of becoming the youngest champion in UFC history – Jon Jones holds that mark, aged 23 - and speaks with clarity and a conviction that the road is indeed paved to gold.
“I think I’m closer actually than I predicted,” Mokaev says, matter-of-factly.
First though, Saturday night, The O2 Arena, and the scene of that debut where he delivered on the promise.
“I know it will be on late in Abu Dhabi, but the support I receive means a lot,” Mokaev says.
And anyway, those who tune in on Saturday night will apparently be in for another treat.
“What to expect?” Mokaev concludes, “Second-round finish.”
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
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Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
What is a calorie?
A food calorie, or kilocalorie, is a measure of nutritional energy generated from what is consumed.
One calorie, is the amount of heat needed to raise the temperature of 1 kilogram of water by 1°C.
A kilocalorie represents a 1,000 true calories of energy.
Energy density figures are often quoted as calories per serving, with one gram of fat in food containing nine calories, and a gram of protein or carbohydrate providing about four.
Alcohol contains about seven calories a gram.
Despacito's dominance in numbers
Released: 2017
Peak chart position: No.1 in more than 47 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Lebanon
Views: 5.3 billion on YouTube
Sales: With 10 million downloads in the US, Despacito became the first Latin single to receive Diamond sales certification
Streams: 1.3 billion combined audio and video by the end of 2017, making it the biggest digital hit of the year.
Awards: 17, including Record of the Year at last year’s prestigious Latin Grammy Awards, as well as five Billboard Music Awards
((Disclaimer))
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How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
From Conquest to Deportation
Jeronim Perovic, Hurst
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
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Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
Day 3 stumps
New Zealand 153 & 249
Pakistan 227 & 37-0 (target 176)
Pakistan require another 139 runs with 10 wickets remaining
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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