UFC Castaways Muhammad Mokaev and Sam Alvey have proven that they are still at the top of their matches at Karate Combat 54.
Muhammad Mokaev and Sam Alvey still believe that they can compete against the best hunters in the world, especially in the UFC Octagon. Both UFC veterans have made large statements in their combat port rental lessons at Karate Combat 54 in Dubai.
Mokaev, who made his second non-thin appearance since he said goodbye to the promotion last year, made his KC debut against Bolat Zamanbekov in the Co-Main event. In the meantime, Alvey headed the card against kickboxing legend Tyrone Spong to defend the KC Heavyweight Championship.
While Alvey and Mokaev KC 54 entered with more questions than answers, both strong cases made for UFC Herta drawings with a few highlight-reel versions.
Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Sam Alvey ends a legend, Muhammad Mokaev returns in style at KC 54
Alvey, who signed with Karate fight almost immediately after his UFC departure from 2022, has quickly become one of the stars of Upstart Promotion. After a first round knockout in his KC debut on KC 41, he won the inaugural KC Heavyweight Championship by beating Ross Levine by a unanimous decision.
A casual headbump against Antonio Arroyo in the first defending defense of Alvey preceded a wild knockout in their rematch at KC 48. But for Alvey his latest deficiency defense against Spong turned him into one of the faces of the promotion.
After a back and forth first round, Alvey Spong hit in round 2 with a sizzling combination.
Sam Alvey spreads Tyrone Spong for the Karate Combat heavyweight belt 🏆 #kc54 pic.twitter.com/lwsu9wxv68
– UFC Fight Pass (@UFCFIGHTPASS) 2 May 2025
Alvey moved to 4-0-1 in his KC official period with three victories due to knockout.
Just a few minutes before Alvey's victory, Mokaev made his first performance in the KC Pit and did not disappoint.
Mokaev looked like a man on a mission when he finished his opponent with a horrible body shot, followed by a flying knee against the well, to win his promotion debut.
Muhammad Mokaev gets it done with the body shot 😤 #kc54 pic.twitter.com/5uiWBKSRJG
– UFC Fight Pass (@UFCFIGHTPASS) 2 May 2025
Mokaev hopes to change the thoughts of the UFC matchmakers and may be able to make its way in the good grace of the promotion. He was not again signed after a victory over Manel Kape at UFC 304, even though he was unbeaten and on the CUSP of a flying weight shot.
In the meantime, the 38-year-old Alvey could possibly get a new shot in the UFC after his impressive show against Spong. Alvey is the latest UFC veteran to find huge success in other promotions, where he joins Mike Perry and Impa Kasanganay.
Arman Tsarukyan stole the show on Karate Combat 54 with a veiled post-Vecht Callout
Before Alvey and Mokaev returned to the win column on KC 54, UFC defeated Lichtweight Competent Arman Tsarukyan a team Khabib -Height in a entry grip competition. After his first wrestling victory, Tsarukyan threw a veiled callout to UFC Lightweight Champion Islam Makhachev, which he would meet on UFC 311 before he withdrew due to an injury.
Tsarukyan will have to make its way back to the lightweight title mix, according to UFC CEO Dana White, after his UFC 311 UFC 311. He could possibly welcome Ilia Topuria this summer to the lightweight division on UFC 317.
As for Makhachev, he has not fought anymore since he is confronted with short-notice replacement Renato Moicano on UFC 311, and he is afraid to grant Topuria the next lightweight title shot. But the Topuria matchup still remains a possibility for UFC 317, after Topuria recently announced his comeback.