IMMAF champ Muhammad Mokaev called out Prince Harry to back MMA to fight knife crime and looks up to role model Khabib

UNBEATEN IMMAF champion Muhammad Mokaev once called out Prince Harry to back MMA in schools to prevent knife crime.

The 19-year-old, whose role model is Khabib Nurmagomeodv, is 17-0 in his amateur MMA career, winning the junior World and European titles at bantamweight as well as Brazilian Jiu Jitsu tournaments.

And having moved to Manchester from Dagestan – the home of Khabib – aged 12, Mokaev urged Prince Harry at last years European IMMAF tournament to implement MMA to help battle street crime.

He said: I want to say look Prince Harry, have a look at what other Princes are doing for all the countries like Morocco, Bahrain, Prince Harry support IMMAF.

Support the federation in the UK, support wrestling, jiu jitsu.

Stop these wars around the world, come and support our guys.

In the UK theres a lot of situations with knives and crime, I think MMA can stop this.

Get these guys to the gym, get them No1 contenders, monthly wages, please Prince Harry, sort this out.

Talented Mokaev began training in karate and boxing aged nine.

But he took MMA more seriously when moving to the UK before his 13th birthday as it helped him understand English language and culture.

Mokaev told SunSport: It was hard because of the language barrier, I didnt speak English much when I came over to the UK.

But training helped me understand the culture of UK life and learning the language, because my background is different to the UK.

In 2012 I won British championships and now Im a seven-time British champion.

Dagestan is famous for creating UFC lightweight champion and Russian superstar Khabib Nurmagomedov.

But despite looking up to the unbeaten star, Mokaev revealed he is not a traditional Dagestani grappler – instead shining on the feet with his striking skills.

He said: Ive won wrestling and jiu jitsu gold medals. In Dagestan its more about wrestling and grappling, but Im a more rounded fighter.

Ive never been dropped or knocked down in 17 fights, I have good striking.

Khabib is very big inspiration for all the new generation of fighters, we are looking up to these guys.

These guys dont drink, dont party and train hard, they are a very good example for young fighters.

In Dagestan theres a lot of great fighters, but Im hoping because of my name in the UK I can make more noise than these guys.

The rising star will represent England at this years IMMAF world championships and enters as the only unbeaten fighter, but that pressure is what drives the 19-year-old to out-train his competition.

Mokaev explained: In the IMMAF tournament Im the only undefeated fighter right now, so its pressure, but good pressure.

To stay undefeated is hard, to be champion is one thing, but stay undefeated is harder as you have to train twice as hard as these guys.

The way I fight I finish most fights, or I get a nice suplex and maybe thats why people remember me more.

I always have a big crowd when Im fighting and that helps.