Mokaev pulled from bout, undefeated Enkuta steps in as replacement

Muhammad Mokaev has been pulled from his scheduled flyweight contest against Adriano Moraes, with undefeated Japanese prospect Fumi Enkuta stepping in as a replacement ahead of the May 17 MVP promotion event.

No reason was provided for Mokaev's withdrawal from the originally booked matchup. The 25-year-old Englishman, who trains out of KHK MMA, entered the picture as one of the sport's most closely watched unbeaten talents. Standing five-foot-seven with a 70-inch reach, Mokaev carries a perfect 13-0-0 record and has built his reputation largely on a relentless grappling-first approach, averaging 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes. His striking output sits at 1.61 significant strikes landed per minute at a 45 percent accuracy rate, reflecting a fighter who uses his hands to complement an elite wrestling game rather than lead with it.

Enkuta enters the bout with an 11-0 record of his own, meaning both competitors on what was originally a marquee matchup will now be replaced by — or paired against — fighters who have yet to taste defeat as professionals. The change is notable given that Moraes himself had been set to face an unbeaten opponent before the swap, and that status remains intact with Enkuta's arrival.

Why it matters

• Mokaev's withdrawal removes one of the most high-profile unbeaten names in flyweight competition from the card without explanation
• Enkuta steps into a significant opportunity against an experienced opponent in Moraes, with an unblemished 11-0 record on the line
• The bout retains its narrative weight, as both Moraes and Enkuta now enter with something to protect or prove on a high-stakes platform