December 13, 2023 4:30 pm ET
LAS VEGAS– At 40, Stephen Thompson might be dealing with the most difficult obstacle of his profession in Shavkhat Rakhmonov, and he understands it.
That’s likewise why he likes it.
Thompson, a previous two-time welterweight title opposition, is out to reveal he’s still got the products to be a UFC champ. And in his own words …
“Who much better to show myself and reveal the UFC and the world that I’m all set for a title shot, another title run than Shavkat Rakhmonov?” Thompson stated Wednesday throughout UFC 296 media day at the UFC Apex.
It’s a legitimate concern thinking about Rakhmonov’s excellent profession to this point. The 29-year-old Kazakh fighter is unbeaten in his MMA profession at 17-0, that includes his very first 5 UFC looks. Not just is Rakhmonov unbeaten, he boasts a 100 percent completing rate with 9 submissions and 8 knockouts. Rakhmonov was evaluated in his last look as he gutted out a third-round submission of Geoff Neal in the UFC 285 Fight of the Night this previous March.
For these factors, Rakhmonov is No. 5 in the existing UFC welterweight rankings and has actually been blessed by numerous to be a future UFC champ.