Mokaev Says 4 Fighters Backed Out Before Boleian Grappling Match

Muhammad Mokaev says four different opponents agreed to grapple him in the same week, then backed out a day later, before he finally locked in a matchup against Moris Boleian for Aug. 30.

The undefeated former UFC flyweight named the four names on social media: former ONE Championship titleholder Adriano Moraes, and UFC flyweights Asu Almabayev, Alibi Idiris and Ramazonbek Temirov. Mokaev wrote that all four "signed to compete" against him within a single week, only to reverse course. "Signed to compete 4 names in 1 week... And they all too but next day the didn't want to," Mokaev wrote on X. "At the end only this guy accepted."

That "guy" is Boleian, who will now face Mokaev for the ACBJJ 60kg Grand Title on Aug. 30 at Ora Arena in Istanbul.

What Happened With Mokaev's Four Grappling Matchups

Mokaev's account, posted Aug. 17, describes a chaotic scramble to book a grappling opponent that fell apart four separate times in a matter of days. According to Mokaev, Moraes, Almabayev, Idiris and Temirov each initially agreed to the bout before pulling out the following day. No opponent named in the sequence has publicly disputed Mokaev's version of events, and no reason for the pullouts has been given.

Mokaev vs. Boleian: What's at Stake

Mokaev (16-0) finally has his fight, and it's a live one on the grappling circuit. Mokaev has finished three of his four MMA wins since exiting the UFC in 2024 and remains active on the mat, though his most recent grappling outing ended in a loss to a significantly bigger Arman Tsarukyan. Boleian brings a spotless finishing rate into the match, having submitted all eight of his professional wins before suffering his only loss by split decision at UAE Warriors in January.

Styles make this one interesting from a betting standpoint. Mokaev is a submission hunter who rarely needs a decision, and Boleian has never gone to a scorecard to win a fight in his career. That points to a matchup likely to end early one way or the other, which should shape how books price finish props and time-of-finish markets once lines open for the Istanbul card. Weight also matters here: Mokaev's lone recent grappling loss came against a far bigger Tsarukyan, so facing Boleian at a set 60kg limit removes the size disadvantage that hurt him last time out.

The bigger story for Mokaev may be who didn't show up. Losing four planned opponents in a single week is unusual even by the loosely structured standards of grappling superfight bookings, and it leaves Mokaev positioned as a flyweight standout still searching for marquee names willing to share the mat with him.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who did Muhammad Mokaev say backed out of fighting him?

Muhammad Mokaev said Adriano Moraes, Asu Almabayev, Alibi Idiris and Ramazonbek Temirov all agreed to grapple him in the same week before pulling out the next day.

Who is Muhammad Mokaev fighting on Aug. 30?

Muhammad Mokaev is facing Moris Boleian for the ACBJJ 60kg Grand Title on Aug. 30 at Ora Arena in Istanbul, Turkey.

What is Muhammad Mokaev's grappling and MMA record?

Muhammad Mokaev is 16-0 in MMA with three finishes since leaving the UFC in 2024, and he is coming off a grappling loss to a much heavier Arman Tsarukyan.