As the highly anticipated BRAVE CF flyweight title bout approaches, Irish contender Gerard Burns has ignited a verbal firestorm, directing sharp criticism at his undefeated opponent, Muhammad Mokaev. Burns, who holds a professional record of 7-1, is set to challenge Mokaev for the vacant championship this Friday, marking a significant milestone in his relatively brief but impactful mixed martial arts career. The Irishman’s comments have added a provocative layer to an already compelling contest, particularly concerning Mokaev’s past relationship with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Burns’ journey to this pivotal title fight has been marked by a long-standing awareness of Mokaev’s presence in the fighting world. Even before Burns committed fully to a career in MMA, Mokaev, then an amateur phenom, was already on his radar. "I haven’t been in this game long, maybe six or seven years," Burns recounted to MMA Fighting. "From a long time ago, Mokaev was a big prospect coming up in the amateur scene. He was dominating in the amateurs, the IMMAF, and then winning world titles."

Mokaev’s amateur career was indeed legendary, establishing him as one of the most decorated amateur fighters globally. His consistent victories and world titles within the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) positioned him as a generational talent, frequently touted as one of the sport’s brightest future stars. For Burns, who was just beginning his foray into combat sports, Mokaev represented a clear benchmark. "So when I was starting this game, he was one of the best people I could find online. He was a big milestone that I set to be able to get to that level when I decided to do it, and I was going to give everything for mixed martial arts," Burns explained.

The aspiration to compete against Mokaev intensified as Burns progressed. The gap between them seemed to narrow with each passing year, particularly as Burns’ teammates and sparring partners began to cross paths with the Dagestani-born fighter. "It got closer and closer when one of my teammates fought him and one of my sparring partners fought him," Burns noted. "I only had two amateur fights at the time. It was back then I was like I can actually get to this guy’s level and smash him. I truly believed it." This burgeoning self-belief underscored Burns’ rapid ascent through the ranks, transitioning from a newcomer with just two amateur bouts to a legitimate title challenger in a major international promotion within a few short years.

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Muhammad Mokaev enters this BRAVE CF title fight with an undefeated professional record, a testament to his formidable skill set and consistent performance. His early professional career was particularly impressive, culminating in a 7-0 record within the UFC, where he was widely regarded as one of the flyweight division’s most promising prospects. However, despite his unblemished record in the world’s premier MMA organization, Mokaev’s tenure with the UFC was not without its complexities, giving rise to various narratives surrounding his contractual status.

Reports circulated at the time indicating that despite his strong start, the promotion had opted not to re-sign Mokaev to a new contract. UFC CEO Dana White publicly commented on the situation, suggesting that the company’s matchmakers had encountered "issues dealing with Mokaev." While Mokaev himself has consistently denied being a "problem child" or difficult to work with, the discourse surrounding his UFC future persisted, eventually leading to his current challenge for the BRAVE CF title.

It is against this backdrop that Gerard Burns has offered his own, highly critical interpretation of Mokaev’s UFC departure. Far from attributing it to mere contractual disagreements or personality clashes, Burns posits a different, more provocative reason. "He’s a good, classy fighter, don’t get me wrong, he’s a winner," Burns conceded. "His record speaks for itself. He knows how to win fights. He’s obviously been sacked from the UFC for being a very boring fighter."

Burns elaborated on his assessment, suggesting that Mokaev, despite his technical prowess, has yet to be truly tested in a visceral, back-and-forth contest. "I don’t think he’s been in many fights, to be totally honest. He’s been in plenty of martial arts competitions, matches but he’s never been in a fight. He’s going to be in a fight on Friday night, that’s for sure," Burns declared, promising to push Mokaev into uncharted territory.

This bold claim by Burns sets the stage for a compelling clash of styles and temperaments. Burns is confident that his diverse skill set and aggressive approach will force Mokaev out of his comfort zone, compelling him into the kind of "firefight" that Burns believes Mokaev has thus far avoided. He acknowledges Mokaev’s wrestling and grappling as significant strengths, attributes that have historically defined the Dagestani fighter’s success. However, Burns asserts that he possesses the tools to not only neutralize these strengths but also inflict damage wherever the fight may unfold.

"I think I’ve got all the tools that it’s going to be his worst nightmare," Burns stated with conviction. "His style is not going to be able to handle it. I don’t just think that, I know it. Friday night we’ll see what happens. It will soon be revealed." Burns further dissected Mokaev’s perceived tactical leanings, describing a fighter who relies heavily on his ground game to control the pace and secure rounds. "He’s a good wrestler. He’s decent at striking. He doesn’t do enough of it. It seems like he gets hit or he gets tired and he goes back to what he knows and that’s wrestling and slowing the fights down and stealing the rounds. He’s definitely not going to be able to do that to me."

Burns’ strategic vision for the fight is clear: to maintain relentless pressure and deny Mokaev the opportunity to dictate the tempo with his grappling. He envisions a scenario where he can hurt Mokaev in any position, whether standing, in a scramble, or on the ground. "I’m prepared for everything going into this fight. I’m just a nightmare for him wherever it is. Whether it’s on the feet. Whether he’s shooting into one of my knees. Whether he’s in my guard eating my elbows. I’m just totally prepared all-around. I’m focusing on my game. Wherever it ends up, I’m prepared. I don’t care what he does," Burns affirmed, projecting an unwavering confidence in his multifaceted preparation.

For Gerard Burns, who only began his professional fighting career approximately three years ago, this BRAVE CF title shot represents a rapid and significant ascent. His 7-1 record underscores a consistent trajectory of improvement and success within the sport. While this fight against a highly-touted opponent like Mokaev is undoubtedly a career highlight, Burns views the BRAVE flyweight championship not as the culmination of his journey, but rather as an essential stepping stone and a proud addition to his burgeoning resume.

"It means a lot to me," Burns reflected on the significance of the upcoming title bout. "It’s a massive milestone. I mentioned I just started this game in 2019 and my biggest goal back then was just to get fit and healthy. Now here we are six years later fighting for a BRAVE world title." His evolution from a fitness enthusiast to a championship contender highlights a remarkable dedication to mixed martial arts. "It’s something that I’ve always wanted to fight for. I’ve always wanted to fight for a BRAVE world title and now we’re here. It does mean so much to me."

The BRAVE CF flyweight title fight between Gerard Burns and Muhammad Mokaev is poised to be a pivotal contest for both athletes. For Mokaev, it represents an opportunity to further solidify his undefeated record and demonstrate his championship pedigree on an international stage, addressing any lingering narratives about his fighting style or professional trajectory. For Burns, it is a chance to validate his rapid rise, claim a prestigious world title, and prove his bold assertions against a highly respected opponent. The clash of their distinct styles, coupled with Burns’ inflammatory pre-fight comments, guarantees that all eyes will be on the cage this Friday.

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