Because they compete in prizefighting, UFC fighters often have no problem placing bets. Before a recent promotion restriction, fighters even used to stake money on their own matches.
Muhammad Mokaev, an English flyweight prospect who was born in Dagestan, is unable to advocate gambling because it goes against his moral values. The Punisher claims to have declined a sportsbook’s $200,000 sponsorship offer. On Twitter, the 22-year-old wrote:
“received a $200,000 sponsorship offer from a betting company. But I’ve made it clear that I won’t ever promote using drugs, drinking, or gambling. Alhamdulillah, Allah granted me more than I requested; ten years ago, I had less.”
Muhammad Mokaev was born in Buynaksk, Republic of Dagestan, and left Russia with his father when he was 12 years old, shortly after his mother passed away. They travelled to England and made their home in Manchester, where Mokaev is currently a student.
Muhammad Mokaev was born in Buynaksk, Republic of Dagestan, and left Russia with his father when he was 12 years old, shortly after his mother passed away. They travelled to England and made their home in Manchester, where Mokaev is currently a student.
Former Dagestani UFC champ Khabib Nurmagomedov gives his take on gambling
The majority of Dagestani fighters practise Islam, which forbids vices like alcohol and gambling. Khabib Nurmagomedov, a former lightweight champion, agrees with Muhammad Mokaev’s stance on gambling.
Nurmagomedov, who is regarded as the standard-bearer for the current class of Dagestani talent, openly expressed his displeasure with gambling. In fact, the UFC Hall of Famer’s own MMA organisation, Eagle FC, forbade bookmakers.
The Eagle claims that gambling is a larger sin than drinking and that it destroys entire families. As said by Nurmagomedov in a prior interview:
“We collaborate with several sponsors to organise events. We don’t require bookies. I think that gambling is riskier than drinking. The promotion of bookies, in my opinion, is worse than alcohol advertising, remarked Nurmgaomedov in Russian. Whole families are destroyed by bookmakers. You are aware of this. How many young men visit these sites, remain on them, and develop addictions? It causes entire families to fail.”
