Dagestan-born UFC fighter rejects $200,000 betting contract that went against his ideals
Being in the sport of prizefighting, UFC fighters are usually not opposed to betting. Fighters even used to wager money on their own fights until a recent ban by the promotion.
However, Dagestan-born English flyweight prospect Muhammad Mokaev is unwilling to promote gambling as it goes against his principles. 'The Punisher' claims to have turned down a $200,000 sponsorship offer from a sportsbook. The 22-year-old wrote on Twitter:
"Got offered $200,000 for sponsorship from betting company. But I said once and will say again I will never advertise gambling, alcohol or drugs. Allah gave me more than I asked , alhamdulillah I have more than I I asked God 10 years ago!"
Got offered $200,000 for sponsorship from betting company
But I said once and will say again I will never advertise gambling, alcohol or drugs. Allah gave me more than I asked , alhamdulillah I have more than I I asked God 10 years ago!
Born in Buynaksk, Republic of Dagestan, Muhammad Mokaev fled Russia at the age of 12 along with his father, soon after his mother's death. They made their way to England and settled in Manchester, where Mokaev currently trains.
'The Punisher' holds a perfect 9-0 record, which also includes three absolutely dominant UFC outings from last year. The 22-year-old is scheduled to face Jafel Filho at UFC 286 on March 18 in front of his home fans in London.
Former Dagestani UFC champ Khabib Nurmagomedov gives his take on gambling
Fighters from Dagestan mostly follow the Islamic religion, which bans vices like alcohol and gambling. Muhammad Mokaev's views on betting resonate with the opinion of former lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Considered to be the torchbearer for the current generation of Dagestani talent, Nurmagomedov unabashedly voiced his grouse with gambling. The UFC Hall of Famer even banned bookmakers in his own MMA promotion, Eagle FC.
According to 'The Eagle', gambling ruins entire families and is a bigger vice than alcohol. Nurmagomedov said in a previous interview:
"We have plenty of sponsors that we work with and put on events. We don’t need bookmakers. I believe that gambling is more dangerous than alcohol. I think it’s worse to advertise bookmakers than alcohol,” Nurmgaomedov said in Russian. Bookmakers ruin entire families. You know that yourselves. How many young guys go on their sites, stay on them and become addicted? Whole families get ruined because of it."
Catch Khabib Nurmagomedov's comments below: