This was reported by UFC sports columnist and commentator Laura Sanko.
“Rakhmonov’s trainer, Henry Hooft, told me that Shavkat injured his ankle six weeks ago and had to go in for surgery, but ultimately decided to come out for the fight,” Sanko wrote on social media. “I spoke to Shawkat about it and he confirmed that he did consider backing out of the fight. I asked him, ‘Is that why you didn’t kick with your legs?’ and he said, ‘Yes, one hundred percent.’ So the choice of strategy is clear.”
After defeating “Vanderboegh” by rear-naked choke late in the second round, the undefeated Kazakhstani representative, who has reeled off six straight early victories in the world’s strongest league, said he is ready to challenge current UFC welterweight champion Leon Edwards.
“Time will tell, but I’m definitely ready for a title fight,” Rakhmonov said at a press conference following UFC 296. “It was a very important fight that had a big meaning not only for me, but also for my team and my country.”