Last Updated on December 13, 2022
Muhammad Mokaev, a surging UFC flyweight prospect with a perfect MMA record of 10-0, questioned a viral video that shows a drag queen twerking and dancing inside a Christian church.
Mokaev — who was born in Dagestan then moved to the United Kingdom when he was 12 — quote tweeted a video that shows a drag queen named “Brita Filter” performing in a Christian church this past April. High school students from a progressive an “independent Episcopal school,” were in attendance for the event, which took place at the Grace Church in Manhattan, the New York Post reported.
“I literally went to church to teach the children today,” the drag performer wrote in a social media post about the event. “A Catholic High School here in NYC invited me to their Pride Chapel. Visibility matters and I’m so honored to have had the chance to talk to you about my work as a LGBTQ+ Drag Queen Activist.”
In another clip of the performance posted to Instagram, the performer can be seen dancing up and down the church aisles, going back and forth to the altar where high school students were gathered. “Who said you can’t have a drag queen at church? Would you go to this service?” Filter wrote in the post, adding that it was great to hear “the beautiful brave queer stories and songs from your students and faculty.”
Video footage of the church drag performance has resurfaced after independent reporter Ian Miles Cheong posted a clip to his Twitter page. The post received significant engagement, including many comments from Muslims and Christians alike who expressed outrage that such a performance would take place in a church.
Moakev, 22, was one of them, saying, “I always stay away from these stuff but don’t bring these people to churches, mosques or anywhere close to the religion!”
I always stay away from these stuff but don’t bring these people to churches, mosques or anywhere close to the religion! https://t.co/G0ZXiaD3JF
— Muhammad Mokaev (@muhammadmokaev) December 13, 2022
The surging flyweight prospect was last seen in the Octagon this past February against Malcom Gordon in Abu Dhabi earlier this year. He ultimately improved to 3-0 in the UFC and 10-0 outright after securing a third-round submission close to the end of the fight, which also earned him a spot in the flyweight rankings.
Mokaev was not the only UFC fighter to offer a similar take. “[I] doubt we will see a drag queen dance in a mosque,” said former UFC title challenger Jake Shields in response to the drag queen video.
A doubt we will see a drag queen dance in a mosque
— Jake Shields (@jakeshieldsajj) December 13, 2022