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MUHAMMAD MOKAEV DELAYED SHOULDER SURGERY SO HE CAN FIGHT AT UFC 286

By David Tees on 3/11/2023 11:58 AM

Muhammad Mokaev competes next weekend at UFC 286, facing Jafel Filho in a flyweight division attraction.

The fighter enters the contest with a shoulder injury, but he delayed the upcoming surgery so he can compete at UFC 286.

“I decided to do (surgery) maybe after the fight, but I recovered enough to fight,” Mokaev told MMA Junkie. “If I make surgery, I’ll probably be out for six or seven months minimum.”

If Mokaev is out for six to seven months after getting surgery, then UFC 286 may be his only fight in 2023.

Despite the shoulder injury, Mokaev will provide no excuses if he loses at UFC 286.

“I just believe I can beat these guys,” Mokaev said. “I have always struggled before my fight. Always sickness, sometimes something happens, it’s not always 100 percent. Not just me, all fighters I think are like this. I think 95 percent of fighters don’t go inside the cage 100 percent. So, it’s OK. I did sparring, I feel good, and I’m confident I will win this fight.”