Undefeated welterweight contender, Shavkat Rakhmonov eyes a championship opportunity if he defeats former title contender Stephen Thompson at UFC 296.
Rakhmonov ranked fifth in the welterweight division, returns to the Octagon, aiming for victory over Thompson later this month.
In March at UFC 285, Rakhmonov secured a third-round standing rear-naked choke win over Geoff Neal, extending his unbeaten streak to 17-0.
Shavkat Rakhmonov Ready for Challenge Post Stephen Thompson
On a five-fight winning streak since joining the UFC in 2020, the former M1-Global welterweight champion eyes a title shot.
“Nobody won against him (Stephen Thompson) in standing game, but sometimes he missed shots,” says Rakhmonov in a recent interview.
Rakhmonov believes a victory over Thompson at UFC 296 prepares him for a long-anticipated title opportunity.
“I don’t know; it depends on what the UFC says, but I think Belal Muhammad also deserves the title shot,” Rakhmonov adds.
“Of course, I’m ready,” he emphasizes regarding the possibility of a title fight.
Throughout his brief Octagon tenure, Rakhmonov has secured stunning wins over Alex Oliveira, Michel Prazeres, Carlston Harris, Neil Magny, and Geoff Neal.
As the anticipation builds for UFC 296, Rakhmonov stands poised to make a definitive statement and stake his claim for a shot at the welterweight title.
Belal Muhammad could hinder the title bid, currently on a hiatus, insisting on fighting only for a championship post his win over Gilbert Burns earlier this year.
Dana White hasn’t outlined division plans beyond UFC 296, leaving room for Shavkat Rakhmonov to surpass Muhammad, contingent on his performance against ‘Wonderboy’ later this month.
In the ever-shifting welterweight landscape, each fight is crucial. Rakhmonov’s bout with Thompson is pivotal, influencing rankings and potentially benefiting from Muhammad’s hiatus.
As UFC 296 nears, welterweight contenders jockey for the championship spotlight. Rakhmonov’s preparedness for ‘Wonderboy’ and the potential Muhammad clash intensify the narrative in this highly competitive UFC division.
As the Octagon beckons, can Shavkat Rakhmonov secure a victory over Stephen Thompson and pave his way to a coveted title shot?
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
