Tag: Shavkat Rakhmonov

UFC 310: Dana White announces Belal Muhammad vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov, Alexandre Pantoja vs. Kai Asakura title doubleheader

Dana White announced UFC 310 will feature Belal Muhammad vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov, Alexandre Pantoja vs. Kai Asakura title fights.

The UFC will close its 2024 pay-per-view-schedule with a championship doubleheader.

UFC CEO Dana White announced on Saturday that UFC 310 on Dec. 14 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN2, ESPN+) will feature two title fights.

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In the main event, [autotag]Belal Muhammad[/autotag] (24-3 MMA, 15-3 UFC) will put his welterweight title on the line for the first time against the undefeated [autotag]Shavkat Rakhmonov[/autotag] (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC).

And it’s not often a fighter will make his or her UFC debut in a title fight, but that’s what former RIZIN champion [autotag]Kai Asakura[/autotag] (21-4 MMA, 0-0 UFC) will do when he challenges flyweight champ [autotag]Alexandre Pantoja[/autotag] (28-5 MMA, 12-3 UFC) in the co-headliner.

Muhammad, 35, claimed the 170-pound belt in July when he outworked Leon Edwards to a unanimous decision in their UFC 304 rematch. He is currently riding a 12-fight unbeaten streak.

Rakhmonov, 30, has been tearing through the competition inside the octagon as he sports a perfect record with a 100 percent finish rate. He hasn’t fought since December 2023, however, when he earned a submission win over Stephen Thompson at UFC 296.

Asakura, 30, signed with the UFC in June. He became a star in Japan through Road FC and eventually into RIZIN, which he competed in from 2017-2023. Asakura went 13-3 for the promotion with wins over notables including Kyoji Horiguchi and Juan Archuleta, both of whom he finished with strikes.

Predominantly a bantamweight throughout his career, Asakura will drop down a weight class for his UFC title bout.

Pantoja aims to successfully defend his title for the third time. Since a title challenge win over Brandon Moreno in July 2023, Pantoja has won back-to-back defenses against Brandon Royval and Steve Erceg by unanimous decision. He rides a six-fight winning streak into this matchup.

The latest UFC 310 lineup now includes:

  • Belal Muhammad vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov – for welterweight title
  • Alexandre Pantoja vs. Kai Asakura – for flyweight title
  • Ciryl Gane vs. Alexander Volkov
  • Nick Diaz vs. Vicente Luque
  • Movsar Evloev vs. Aljamain Sterling
  • Dominick Reyes vs. Anthony Smith
  • Virna Jandiroba vs. Tatiana Suarez
  • Clay Guida vs. Chase Hooper
  • Michael Chiesa vs. Max Griffin
  • Cody Durden vs. Joshua Van

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 310.

Joaquin Buckley: Shavkat Rakhmonov will be ‘exposed’ by Belal Muhammad

Joaquin Buckley thinks Shavkat Rakhmonov is overrated.

[autotag]Joaquin Buckley[/autotag] thinks [autotag]Shavkat Rakhmonov[/autotag] is overrated.

Buckley (19-6 MMA, 9-4 UFC) takes pride in calling himself the Kill Cliff FC killer, after wins over Impa Kasanganay, Andre Fialho, and Vicente Luque.

With Jack Della Maddalena sidelined due to injury, Buckley called out Rakhmonov (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) for a fight in August, but he was immediately dismissed by the undefeated contender. Rakhmonov is touted to potentially be welterweight champion [autotag]Belal Muhammad[/autotag]’s first title defense, and Buckley picks Muhammad (24-3 MMA, 15-3 UFC) to beat him.

“First off, I’ve shouted out that Shavkat has never been as good as people claim,” Buckley told Inside Fighting. “The reason I say that with so much confidence is because when he had the opportunity to fight me, he didn’t take it. When the (Jack Della Maddalena) fight pulled out for him, I told him I will be willing to fight him in the same place, on the same date he was going to fight JDM and he declined. Guys don’t realize you cannot wait on an opportunity to get a title. You have to just keep putting in work – because the UFC makes those decisions, you don’t.

“Let’s say I fought Shavkat and he happened to win and beat me. Boom: Easy. No doubt, right there they probably would have gave it to him, but because he knew there was a risk that I’ve beat the majority of his teammates that he trains with, that yes, that we’ve got the number on the whole Kill Cliff clan over there. So I just don’t think Shavkat is as good as people claim. But you know, I feel like he definitely going to get exposed eventually. If that’s not by me, that’s definitely going to be by Belal.”

After winning his first four fights at welterweight in the UFC, Buckley will look to emerge as a top contender when he faces Stephen Thompson (17-7-1 MMA, 12-7-1 UFC) Oct. 5 in the featured prelim of UFC 307 at Delta Center in Salt Lake City.

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 307.

Belal Muhammad prefers first title defense against Shavkat Rakhmonov over Kamaru Usman: ‘He has more aura’

Belal Muhammad has zeroed in on who he wants for his first title defense.

[autotag]Belal Muhammad[/autotag] has zeroed in on who he wants for his first title defense.

Welterweight champion Muhammad (24-3 MMA, 15-3 UFC) has been trading barbs with former champion [autotag]Kamaru Usman[/autotag] (20-4 MMA, 15-3 UFC), but admits a fight against undefeated [autotag]Shavkat Rakhmonov[/autotag] (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) does more for his career.

Usman has lost two straight title fights to Leon Edwards, followed by a majority decision to Khamzat Chimaev at middleweight. Although Usman is widely considered one of the greatest welterweights of all time, Muhammad sees Rakhmonov as a better option.

“For me now, I would rather it be Shavkat,” Muhammad told Kevin Iole. “I think he has more aura. He has the undefeated (part) about him. There’s no excuses after beating him. If I go out there and beat Usman, Usman’s on a three-fight losing streak. He’s old. He’s on his way out.

“I think he needs another win to get in the mix and show that he’s still hungry, to show that he still has tread on the tires. But I want Shavkat more. You look at the other guys, Ian (Machado Garry) isn’t even calling for it. (Jack Della Maddalena), I think he’s still hurt. I think it would be between Shavkat and Usman, and between those two, Shavkat makes more sense.”

Muhammad wants to build an undeniable legacy at welterweight, and is willing to knock off every rising contender to prove his worth.

“The goal was always gold. Now, it’s what’s the next thing you want to chase?” Muhammad said. “Now I want to be the GOAT of the welterweights. I want to chase (Georges St-Pierre). Now I want to chase that aura, being on that Mount Rushmore.

“When you think of the best welterweights, I want to be up there with those guys. To do that, I’m going to need some title defenses. To do that, I’m going to have to beat a lot of the younger guys that they’re saying are better than me.”

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UFC champ Belal Muhammad explains why Kamaru Usman tougher fight than Shavkat Rakhmonov

Belal Muhammad has been feuding with Kamaru Usman, but he respects the former UFC champion’s game.

[autotag]Belal Muhammad[/autotag] has been feuding with [autotag]Kamaru Usman[/autotag], but he respects the former UFC welterweight champion’s game.

Current champ Muhammad (24-3 MMA, 15-3 UFC) is closing in on either Usman (20-4 MMA, 15-3 UFC) or [autotag]Shavkat Rakhmonov[/autotag] (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) for his first title defense, hopefully in December. When asked whom he thinks is the tougher fight, Muhammad said former five-time defending champion Usman is because of his experience.

“Honestly, I would say Kamaru just because he’s fought the highest level for so long,” Muhammad told Submission Radio. “And stylistically he has one of the best IQs in the game. So I think, for me, fighting somebody with close to an IQ of myself would be a harder fight.”

Usman is on a three-fight losing skid, but Muhammad said he should get the benefit of the doubt for his short-notice loss to Khamzat Chimaev at middleweight.

“He still has tread on his tires,” Muhammad said. “People will sit there and say, like, you said, people must have forgot, right? And it’s, people are quick to forget about you, but he fought that fight with Khamzat on eight days’ notice, and it was a game of inches in that fight, right?

“If it was two more rounds in there, I would’ve been very interested to see how it would have went. That was a guy that nobody thought could touch him. He was immortal, and Kamaru made him look mortal on eight days’ notice in Abu Dhabi. So, that’s why I think he would be one of the toughest fights in the division.”

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Belal Muhammad wants Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Kamaru Usman to ‘find the real number one contender’

Newly crowned UFC welterweight champ Belal Muhammad wants to see a No. 1 contender fight booked.

UFC welterweight champion [autotag]Belal Muhammad[/autotag] believes his first challenger should have to earn their shot.

Less than a month removed from his title victory over Leon Edwards at UFC 304, the conversation about the first defense for Muhammad (24-3 MMA, 15-3 UFC) has begun to grow loud. This is partly due to Muhammad recently telling MMA Junkie Radio he wants to “be their Alex Pereira and step up” to put his title on the line.

Shavkat Rakhmonov, the current No. 3 welterweight in the promotion’s rankings, has already called the champ out for turning down a matchup in October, sparking a response from Muhammad.

“Inactive? Lol I’m still on trial and Shavkat hasn’t fought since 2023 I think Shavkat and Usman should fight to find the real number one contender,” Muhammad wrote on X, along with a meme of Edwards.

Rakhmonov (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) has not competed since a submission victory over former title challenger Stephen Thompson at UFC 296 in December.

Muhammad made it clear he would not be ready to return in October, and in the meantime, he wants to see the undefeated contender face former champion Kamaru Usman. However, in another meme posted to X, Muhammad hinted that the UFC is only interested in giving Rakhmonov his shot at gold.

Usman (20-4 MMA, 15-3 UFC) is currently on a three-fight losing streak. The former champ dropped his title to Edwards, lost the rematch, and then came up short in a short-notice majority decision loss to Khamzat Chimaev at middleweight.

Rakhmonov believes he has already done enough to earn a title shot and expects a competitive fight against Muhammad if the bout is booked next.

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Coach: Shavkat Rakhmonov’s ‘gas tank is going to be a factor’ vs. UFC champ Belal Muhammad

Belal Muhammad’s head coach thinks Shavkat Rakhmonov would have to finish the UFC welterweight champion to win.

Louis Taylor thinks [autotag]Shavkat Rakhmonov[/autotag] will have to finish [autotag]Belal Muhammad[/autotag] to beat him.

Taylor expects Rakhmonov (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) to potentially be Muhammad’s (24-3 MMA, 15-3 UFC) first title defense. Rakhmonov has a 100 percent finish rate, but Muhammad’s head coach warns him of Muhammad’s pace and cardio.

“Gas tank is going to be a factor, and I think we beat him 3-2 or 4-1,” Taylor told Sportskeeda. “I look at people like Shavkat. Shavkat’s a finisher, and he’s good at it. But if you don’t put Belal out of there, he’s going to keep coming.”

Former champion Kamaru Usman (20-4 MMA, 15-3 UFC) also appears to be in the running for a title shot after continuously trading barbs with Muhammad.

“I mean, I would prefer ‘no-knees’ Usman,” Taylor said. “But no, no, no. Both of those guys are well deserving and well respected. Again, if you go for the numbers game, it’s Usman. If you go for the legacy game, taking someone’s 0, it would be Shavkat.”

Rakhmonov told MMA Fighting that Muhammad rejected an October return, something the champion ruled out from the start. Muhammad claimed the title just over a month ago when he dominated Leon Edwards for the most part at UFC 304.

Taylor thinks a short while after October works to schedule his first title defense.

“If you watch Belal’s career, the year or whatever it was spat that we had to wait from the Gilbert Burns fight until the Leon fight, that was literally the longest layoff Belal has ever had,” Taylor said. “It made me nervous stepping up from such a long layoff into such a high-caliber bout. I think we should fight in November, December. (That) would be great.”

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Chael Sonnen: Kamaru Usman can steal UFC welterweight title shot from Shavkat Rakhmonov

Chael Sonnen thinks Kamaru Usman may be able to out-campaign Shavkat Rakhmonov for a shot at UFC champ Belal Muhammad.

[autotag]Chael Sonnen[/autotag] thinks [autotag]Kamaru Usman[/autotag] might be able to out-campaign [autotag]Shavkat Rakhmonov[/autotag] for a welterweight title shot.

Usman (20-4 MMA, 15-3 UFC) is on a three-fight losing skid, but the former champ took issue with fans suggesting he’s washed up. Usman has been trading barbs with current UFC welterweight champ [autotag]Belal Muhammad[/autotag] (24-3 MMA, 15-3 UFC) and believes he’s a better version of him.

Undefeated Rakhmonov (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) said it’s a shame for Usman to try and enter the title picture as he looks to secure his shot. But based on name value, Sonnen thinks Usman has a case – and it’s now or never for him.

“He is right there, about to get Belal. I mean, he is right there,” Sonnen said on his YouTube channel. “There is only one guy even in discussion that might nudge him out, and that is Rakhmonov, and it’s wildly important that they get this figured out. If Rakhmonov nudges him out, there’s probably not going to be another time that Kamaru’s going to be needed.

“This is the time. He’s got to beat him. Rakhmonov has got to shine himself up just a little bit more. The UFC, no matter how big it is and no matter what the fan base is, is not ready for a press conference with Muhammad and Rakhmonov, and Kamaru Usman has got to push that narrative. I’m only sharing that because he is this close, and at one point he didn’t know it.”

After dethroning Leon Edwards to become welterweight champion at UFC 304, Muhammad told MMA Junkie that he’s willing to make his first title defense against either Usman or Rakhmonov.

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Shavkat Rakhmonov: ‘It’s kind of a shame’ for Kamaru Usman to ask for title shot

Shavkat Rakhmonov criticizes Kamaru Usman for trying to insert himself into the UFC welterweight title picture.

[autotag]Shavkat Rakhmonov[/autotag] criticizes [autotag]Kamaru Usman[/autotag] for trying to insert himself into the UFC welterweight title picture.

Former champion Usman never called for a title shot, but he has recently been trading barbs with champion Belal Muhammad. That even prompted Muhammad to tell MMA Junkie that he’d be open to making his first title defense against either Rakhmonov or Usman in December.

Rakhmonov (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) is confident he’s next but thinks Usman has no business being in the title conversation. Usman (20-4 MMA, 15-3 UFC) has lost three straight – two to Leon Edwards in title fights, then a short-notice fight against Khamzat Chimaev at middleweight.

“I don’t know what he’s (Usman) thinking about,” Rakhmonov told Submission Radio through an interpreter. “Like, I think it’s kind of a shame to ask for a title shot after losing three fights straight. Like in my head, I cannot get my head around it. But yeah, it is what it is.”

If Rakhmonov is able to dethrone Muhammad, he sees two top contenders as frontrunners for title shots – none of which are Usman.

“There’s a few good guys in the division who are very close to a title shot,” Rakhmonov said. “I can say that Jack Della Maddalena, Ian (Machado) Garry. Maybe they should fight each other, and the winner should be next for the title after me.”

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Shavkat Rakhmonov: ‘I should be next’ for UFC title shot against Belal Muhammad

Undefeated welterweight Shavkat Rakhmonov expects to be the first challenger for UFC champion Belal Muhammad.

[autotag]Shavkat Rakhmonov[/autotag] is very confident his next fight will be for UFC gold.

Although not officially booked or reported as in the works, Rakhmonov (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) expects the promotion to give him the first crack at recently crowned UFC welterweight champion [autotag]Belal Muhammad[/autotag] (24-3 MMA, 15-3 UFC).

“UFC thinks I’m the No. 1 contender and that I should be next because there’s no clear contender anyway,” Rakhmonov told Submission Radio through an interpreter. “I have 100 percent finishes in the UFC, so I actually should be next. Everyone else is also very close, but I think they need one or a couple of wins to get this title shot, so I should be next.”

Rakhmonov remains unbeaten in his MMA career and has finished all six opponents he’s faced since joining the UFC in 2020. His most recent win came in December, when he submitted former UFC title challenger Stephen Thompson.

Although Rakhmonov has run through all of his opposition, the Kazakh fighter expects a tough battle against Muhammad, should he get the next title shot.

“I think it will be a very competitive fight,” Rakhmonov said. “I don’t think about it as an easy fight. It’s going to be a hard fight and whoever forces their own style on their opponent is going to win. Even though it’s not going to be easy, I believe I’m going to win in the end.”

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Belal Muhammad open for Shavkat Rakhmonov as first UFC title defense: ‘I’ve never backed down from anybody’

Belal Muhammad will fight Shavkat Rakhmonov and any No. 1 contender after UFC 304.

MANCHESTER, England – [autotag]Belal Muhammad[/autotag] will fight [autotag]Shavkat Rakhmonov[/autotag] and any No. 1 contender after UFC 304.

Muhammad (24-3 MMA, 15-3 UFC) dethroned Leon Edwards (22-4 MMA, 14-3 UFC) to become welterweight champion in Saturday’s main event at Co-op Live in Manchester, England.

Muhammad was immediately called out by Rakhamonov (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC), and the new champion welcomes the challenge.

“Congratulations on your well-deserved victory, @bullyb170! I hope you keep your word and defend your title against me when you’re ready, champ.”

“Yeah, of course,” Muhammad said on fighting Rakhmonov at the UFC 304 post-fight news conference. “I’ve literally never turned down a fight. I’ve never backed down from anybody. I had so many people turn down fights against me so, now I’m at the top. I’m the man and for me, now it’s cementing my legacy as the best welterweight to ever do it.

“I’m not going to sit there and call out these random guys. Who’s next in line, who’s best in line. I’m going to show you who I am, what I can do. They thought Leon could walk through me, now I’m going to walk through all these other guys.”

It was a long wait for Muhammad to both get a title shot, and get the opportunity run things back with Edwards after their March 2021 fight was ruled a no contest. Muhammad lost the first round before getting poked in the eye just 18 seconds into Round 2, and had to spend years listening to people tell him he was en route to getting beat.

“I think I’m the best fighter in the world, I know I’m the best fighter in the world, I just had to prove it and I had to show you guys,” Muhammad said. “We had three years to sit there and I had to dwell on that thing.

“That last fight of everybody saying, ‘Oh, he would have beat him, he would have won the last other rounds.’ We didn’t even get started in that fight. This fight we got started. We just dominated the champion. We made it look easy and we did it better than Colby (Covington) did, better than Usman did.”

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 304.