LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Shavkat Rakhmonov[/autotag] thinks it’s time he fights for UFC gold.
The undefeated UFC welterweight contender furthered his streak in the division Saturday when he submitted former title challenger Stephen Thompson on the main card of UFC 296, the UFC’s final event of 2023, at the T-Mobile Arena.
Rakhmonov (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) controlled the fight from start to finish, and he believes he’s prime for an opportunity at Leon Edwards’s belt.
“Time will show, but I’m definitely ready for the title shot,” Rakhmonov said through a translator at the UFC 296 post-fight press conference.
With the win, Rakhmonov also became the first man to submit Thompson (17-7-1 MMA, 12-7-1 UFC), an accolade he doesn’t take lightly.
“I’m very happy to get this win,” Rakhmonov said. “This was a very important fight for me, and I believe it was not only important for me, but for my team and my country.
“I prepared very well for this fight, but I had to be patient. I believe I won the first round. I wasn’t in a rush to get to finish first, but I got it eventually, so I believe it was a good fight.”
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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 296.