The MMA Daily

The lone Flyweight fight on the card features Muhammad Mokaev and Charles Johnson. A credentialed and rising superstar, Mokaev returns to O2 Arena looking to replicate his successful UFC debut victory over Cody Durden. A fight in which only lasted a mere 58 seconds. Undefeated and only 21-years old, Mokaev is a legitimate prospect worth monitoring. Meanwhile, Johnson comes into his UFC debut a winner of four straight. Looking to play spoiler, Johnson heads into enemy territory with a goal of hushing the crowd. With eight of his eleven wins coming inside the distance, Johnson has the abilities to do such.

As the second biggest favorite on the card, Mokaev will look to continue his dominance in mixed martial arts. Well rounded, Mokaev showed in his last fight, that he’s got some pop in his hands. However, his wrestling and grappling abilities are what really standout. A four-time IMMAF gold medalist, the Dagestani born is a mauler like fellow countrymate Khabib Nurmagomedov. Wanting all the smoke is Johnson. An Interim LFA Flyweight Champion, Johnson comes into his debut with double the experience as Mokaev. Backed back an excellent gas tank, which has shown it’s teeth in four straight scheduled five round fights, Johnson is going to bring forth a heavy pace. With a boxing background, Johnson has shown to be a formidable striker with some good pop.

Coming into enemy territory is one thing, doing it in your UFC debut is another. While Johnson has talent and will find success inside the octagon, this is a fight that leans towards Mokaev. With superior wrestling and grappling, expect Mokaev to get this fight to the ground and rack up control time. Not sure if a finish comes to fruition, given Johnson has never been stopped, I’m going to go ahead and predict that Mokaev wins via decision.