The fighters officially confirmed the bout’s organization on social media.
“I was offered the fight and I agreed. Shavkat Rakhmonov, let’s finish the fight strongly! December 16, looking forward to it!”, – wrote the American.
“Let’s go!”,” replied the undefeated representative of Kazakhstan.
Shavkat Rakhmonov, 28, earned his fifth early victory in the UFC in March with a third-round choke finish of Jeff Neal. “Nomad” was scheduled to fight next on September 16 against Kelvin Gastelum, however, a month and a half before the event, the American withdrew from the bout after suffering a severe dissection and a broken nose in training.
Former UFC welterweight title challenger Stephen Thompson put his career back on track last December by defeating Kevin Holland by technical knockout, whom the corner did not release for the fifth round. Prior to that, the 40-year-old American had suffered two straight defeats, losing by decisions to Gilbert Burns and Belal Muhammad. Two months ago, “Vanderboi” refused to come out for a fight against Brazilian Michel Pereira, who showed up for the official weigh-in procedure with a significant overweight.