Shavkat Rakhmonov is assured he’ll be new UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad’s subsequent opponent — primarily as a result of the promotion already provided him the chance.
“Yeah, truly, I’ve already been provided a struggle to struggle Belal and I accepted the struggle in opposition to Belal,” Rakhmonov informed MMA Preventing. “However sadly, he declined to struggle me because of the timing points. He wasn’t able to defend his belt on that point. So we’ll see what’s going to occur and when he’s going to be prepared so I can struggle him.
“Earlier than he grew to become a champion, and after he gained the belt, he mentioned he’s going to be an lively champion and he’ll defend his belt extra usually, however for the time being he wasn’t backing up what he mentioned, you understand, so let’s see what’s going to occur, when he’s going to be able to struggle me.”
Muhammad captured the 170-pound title with a unanimous resolution win over Leon Edwards in the primary occasion of UFC 304 in Manchester in July. Following the win, it appeared like Rakhmonov—at present No. 3 at welterweight within the MMA Preventing International Rankings—can be subsequent, however former champion Kamaru Usman has gotten the eye of Muhammad as effectively.
When requested when the proposed championship struggle with Muhammad would have taken place, Rakhmonov mentioned it will have been comparatively rapidly.
“It was in October,” Rakhmonov mentioned. “The Salt Lake [City] card, [UFC 307].”
Rakhmonov is 18-0 as a professional, with all finishes, together with a 6-0 begin contained in the octagon. In his most up-to-date outing, “Nomad” submitted multi-time title challenger Stephen Thompson within the second spherical at UFC 292 this previous December.
Since then, Rakhmonov has been therapeutic up and preparing for his championship alternative. When requested when he believes the struggle will occur, the 29-year-old is able to be booked as quickly as doable, or, if timing delays it till 2025, Rakhmonov is completely happy to attend.
“I don’t know what’s occurring with Belal and he’s going be prepared for the time being,” Rakhmonov defined. “If they are saying December, January, I’m going to be prepared. If they are saying April, Might, it doesn’t matter. I already need to struggle for the belt. I already secured the spot and I’ll simply be sure that I’m going to be prepared for the struggle. So, every time he’s prepared, I’m in.”