If you follow MMA you’ve definitely been following the Meteoric rise of Khamzat Chimaev, if you’re paying attention you’ll realize the fighter most people mention right after Chimaev is Kazakhstani and Uzbekistani fighter Shavkat Rakhmonov. Rakhmonov is an undefeated fighter much like Chimaev, and hopefully these two undefeated fighters will meet in a fight very soon because these two fighters and Sean Brady are the future of the UFC Welterweight division and MMA as a whole.
Rakhmonov was born October 23, 1994 in Shurchi District, Uzbekistan to a father who is a Kazakh, a mother who is a Kazakh-Konyrat. Rakhmonov learned about MMA by watching MMA fights on DVD. After watching MMA he decided to pursue Martial Arts at first with boxing, but would eventually switch to Combat Sambo where he’d become a Master of Sport in and Master of Sport in MMA. Rakhmonov is an excellent wrestler who’s wrestling and submissions are on par with the Dagestanis.
Rakhmonov made his Professional MMA debut in October of 2012 when faced off against Adam Tsurov in Nazran, Russia for the M-1 Challenge promotion. Rakhmononov would win the bout via Submission (triangle choke.) He’d then face off against Marcus Vinicios winning the bout via TKO (punches.) He’d then face Bartosz Chyrek in May of 2015 winning by KO (punches.)
Rakhmonov would win his next five fights before fighting Faridun Odilov for the KZMMAF Welterweight title he’d win said belt by TKO (punches.) He’d defend this title once against Rinat Sayakbaev. He’d then face off against Daniil Prikaza for the vacant M-1 Welterweight Championship He’d win the strap, and he’d defend that belt once before getting the call to fight in the UFC.
Rakhmonov would make his UFC debut in October of 2020 when he faced off against Alex ‘Cowboy’ Oliveira. Rakhmonov would win the bout in the first round with a Submission by way of the guillotine choke. He’d then face Michel Prazeres in June of 2021 Rakhmonov would win the bout via Submission (rear-naked choke.) In his next outing he’d face Carlston Harris he’d win the bout via KO (spinning hook kick and punches) in February 2022. Rakhmonov would win the Performance of the Night with this highlight reel knockout.
Rakhmonov is set to face Neil Magny in a UFC Fight Night Main Event on June 25th. It’ll be interesting to see how this one shakes out.
MMA Aficionado 