Former UFC star forced to withdraw from Ronda Rousey vs Gina Carano card as late replacement found

Muhammad Mokaev’s opportunity to thrust himself back into the limelight has fallen by the wayside.

The highly-touted flyweight prospect has been forced out of his Netflix showcase fight on the Most Valuable Promotions Ronda Rousey vs Gina Carano undercard.

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Mokaev (16-0) had been due to face former ONE Championship 125lbs champion Adriano Moraes (21-6) on the May 16 bill at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California.

However, Visa issues have meant he is unable to enter the United States.

As a result, unbeaten American Phumi Nkuta (11-0) has stepped in to replace Mokaev.

Due to the short notice, Moraes vs Nkuta will be contested at a catchweight of 130lbs.

It marks yet another setback for Mokaev, who was cut by the UFC in 2024 after winning all seven of his bouts with MMA’s premier promotion.

UFC CEO Dana White cited ‘attitude issues’ as the reason for releasing one of the company’s most promising fighters.

Mokaev has since returned to Bahrain-based promotion BRAVE CF, where he won the inaugural flyweight championship last November.

The collapse of Moraes vs Mokaev is a big loss for the bill, which, while packed to the brim with star power, is somewhat lacking in genuine world-class matchups.

Moraes, who famously knocked out 125lbs GOAT Demetrious Johnson in 2021, is a consensus top 20 flyweight, as is Mokaev.

The Brazilian failed in his attempt to become a three-time ONE FC flyweight champion last March when he was stopped in the opening stanza by Yuya Wakamatsu.

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At 38 years old, there was an air of intrigue around how Moraes would fare against a young, hungry challenger like Mokaev.

Luckily, those questions still will be answered as MVP has plucked out another promising up-and-comer in Nkuta.

The New Jersey fighter is a relentless grappler, noted for his heavy ground and pound.

He trains out of Longo’s Gym in New York under the watchful eye of esteemed coach Ray Longo and former UFC welterweight champion Matt Serra.

Four of his 11 wins have come inside the distance (two submissions, two TKOs).