Preview: UFC Fight Night 208 Prelims

Flyweights

Muhammad Mokaev (7-0, 1 NC | 0-0 UFC) vs. Charles Johnson (11-2 | 0-0 UFC)

Odds: Mokaev (-460), Johnson (+370)

It'll be fascinating to track the career of Muhammad Mokaev, to say the least. Born in Dagestan and raised in England, Mokaev's prospect background is an interesting one, as he turned professional in 2020 after an extensive and decorated amateur career. As a result, there's a lot of a practiced and smooth feel to Mokaev's game; "The Punisher" always has a ton of confidence and poise, and everything connects to the wrestling phase where he seems to be at his most comfortable. But Mokaev is still just 21 years old - the youngest male fighter on the UFC roster - and there are still some concerns about his progression in the short term, mainly around his physicality; despite his skill, Mokaev overwhelming his opponents in wrestling exchanges hasn't been a given, thanks to his long frame that still hasn't entirely filled out. By his mid-twenties, Mokaev should have enough strength to become an absolute terror, but there may be some close calls and prospect losses along the way, though Mokaev's UFC debut was a 58-second blowout of Cody Durden. But that might be where newcomer Charles Johnson steps in. On the fringes of a UFC call-up for a while, "InnerG" has that requisite physicality to potentially cause Mokaev a ton of issues as both a large flyweight and a 31-year old who's been at this for a good while. Johnson's also far from a glass cannon, as he's capable of stalking his opponents down while carrying his power well into the championship rounds, as his most recent win - a fifth-round finish to retain LFA's flyweight title - demonstrates. Johnson's defensive wrestling does appear to be a weakness, so there is a path to victory for Mokaev that makes this fight essentially a coin flip; Mokaev should find his way to the fight he wants, but Johnson may be too physical for the hyped prospect to turn that into much success. And while Mokaev is a decent enough striker, Johnson's much more determined on the feet and should be able to drag Mokaev into some uncomfortable waters over the course of three rounds. Mokaev is good enough to deserve the benefit of the doubt, which he'll get here, but there's a solid chance that this is a learning experience for the 21-year old; still, the pick is Mokaev via decision.

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