Muhammad Mokaev targets UFC title after continuing win streak

The 23-year-old, who went to the Deanery and St John Rigby College after arriving in Wigan as a refugee from Dagestan, forced Elliott into a submission in the third round in Abu Dhabi.

“I needed to finish Tim Elliott,” said Mokaev, who is flying up the flyweight division standings.

“Now I’m 5-0 in the UFC with four finishes and the most winning streak in the division.

"Give me Kai Kara-France or the title. Kai Kara-France, Amir Albazi, Manel Kape, anyone.”

Mokaev has also made a cheeky request to UFC supremo Dana White to be a back-up fighter for the promotion's Las Vegas super show in December.

A reporter asked White at the weekend following Mokaev’s victory: "Muhammad Mokaev asked me to ask you if he could be the back-up fighter for December..."

White interjected, smiling: "I just saw him, and he was terrorising me in the back.

"We'll figure something out for him."

The reporter continued: "He hasn't fought in the United States yet, and he seems very interested, he wants to fight in Las Vegas...do you want to bring him Stateside?"

White replied: "Listen, when kids tell me that they want to fight here or there, I try to make it happen.

Mokaev turned pro after enjoying a perfect amateur record of 23 wins in 23 bouts, four of which came by knockout and three by submission.