MUHAMMAD MOKAEV made his eagerly awaited UFC debut at London's O2 Arena.
In front of a packed crowd, the former refugee - who arrived in the UK from Russia at the age 12 - launched the long-awaited promotion for London's return.
The Punisher did not finish American Cody Durden in the time he promised, but fight fans who wanted to see his skills got a glimpse.
After dropping Durden with a big knee, the adopted Manc took the arena to the ground with a quick guillotine.
Mokaev, 21 years old, sent a message, just seconds after forcing American Durden into submission, to UFC president Dana White.
He said, "Uncle Dana 50Gs' child" to the delight of the crowd.
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Mokaev joked then about sending Durden to the American Embassy, referring to Durden's controversial interview following beating Qileng-Aori last November.
Mokaev told SunSport, prior to his spectacular debut, that he hopes that his amazing journey to the UFC will inspire other refugees.
SunSport spoke with the flyweight prospect, saying: "I want people to be inspired by my story, especially those who come from refugee backgrounds."
"I have been around these people for a while, I've been a refugee now for ten years.
"That's why my British passport was so important to me, otherwise I wouldn't be able to travel as much.
People talk about refugees and say that they have no family and are content with what the government gives them.
"But, to get to the country, one must put themselves on the map in order to not be placed in the same circle with all refugees.
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"You must stand out and believe in yourself. You don't need to know English to build things here.
"If you can do it in your country, it's possible to do it here." This is what I want to prove, and motivate those people.
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