UFC castaways Muhammad Mokaev and Sam Alvey proved they’re still at the top of their games at Karate Combat 54.
Muhammad Mokaev and Sam Alvey still believe they can compete against the top fighters in the world, particularly in the UFC Octagon. Both UFC veterans made big statements in their combat sports returns at Karate Combat 54 in Dubai.
Mokaev, who was making his second non-UFC appearance since parting ways with the promotion last year, made his KC debut against Bolat Zamanbekov in the co-main event. Meanwhile, Alvey headlined the card against kickboxing legend Tyrone Spong to defend the KC heavyweight championship.
While Alvey and Mokaev entered KC 54 with more questions than answers, both made strong cases for UFC re-signings with a pair of highlight-reel performances.
Sam Alvey finishes a legend, Muhammad Mokaev returns in style at KC 54
Alvey, who signed with Karate Combat almost immediately after his 2022 UFC departure, has quickly become one of the stars of the upstart promotion. After a first-round knockout in his KC debut at KC 41, he won the inaugural KC heavyweight championship by defeating Ross Levine by unanimous decision.
An accidental headbutt against Antonio Arroyo in Alvey’s first title defense preceded a wild knockout in their rematch at KC 48. But for Alvey, his latest title defense against Spong turned him into one of the faces of the promotion.
After a back-and-forth first round, Alvey knocked out Spong in Round 2 with a blistering combination.
Alvey moved to 4-0-1 in his KC tenure with three wins by knockout.
Just minutes before Alvey’s victory, Mokaev made his first appearance in the KC pit and didn’t disappoint.
Mokaev looked like a man on a mission as he finished his opponent with a gruesome body shot, followed up by a flying knee against the pit, to win his promotional debut.
Mokaev is hoping to change the minds of the UFC matchmakers and potentially work his way into the good graces of the promotion. He wasn’t re-signed after a win over Manel Kape at UFC 304, despite being undefeated and on the cusp of a flyweight title shot.
Meanwhile, the 38-year-old Alvey could potentially get another shot in the UFC after his impressive showing against Spong. Alvey is the latest UFC veteran to find immense success in other promotions, joining the ranks of Mike Perry and Impa Kasanganay.
Arman Tsarukyan stole the show at Karate Combat 54 with a veiled post-fight callout
Before Alvey and Mokaev returned to the win column at KC 54, UFC lightweight contender Arman Tsarukyan defeated a Team Khabib standout in a submission grappling match. After his first grappling win, Tsarukyan threw a veiled callout at UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, whom he was supposed to face at UFC 311 before withdrawing due to injury.
Tsarukyan will have to work his way back into the lightweight title mix, according to UFC CEO Dana White, following his hours-notice withdrawal at UFC 311. He could potentially welcome Ilia Topuria back to the lightweight division at UFC 317 this summer.
As for Makhachev, he hasn’t fought since facing short-notice replacement Renato Moicano at UFC 311, and is apprehensive to grant Topuria the next lightweight title shot. But the Topuria matchup still remains a possibility for UFC 317, after Topuria recently announced his comeback.