Shavkat Rakhmonov is ready for a step up in competition and some bigger names as he begins pushing towards title contention in the UFC.
Fresh from his submission victory over Neil Magny in the second round, this undefeated welterweight looked ahead to meeting several potential opponents as he aims to improve on his perfect 16-0 records (all 16 wins ended by submission or knockout).
“As always, I’m not going to rush,” Rakhmonov said via a translator about the timing of his next fight when speaking at the UFC Vegas 57 post-fight press conference.
” I’m going take my time and rest, then assess all with my team. But, the names that I would like to see are Stephen Thompson, Nick Diaz or [Jorge] Masvidal. Let’s go.”
“Wonderboy” is actually what he first mentioned after completing a guillotine choke on Magny to tap him out with only two seconds left in the second round.
It was another dominant showcase for Rakhmonov, who was in complete control throughout the fight before locking on the submission to keep his finish streak intact.
“Neil is a good opponent,” Rakhmonov said. “That’s why I wasn’t forcing the action. I wasn’t rushing. Just was waiting for him to make a mistake and to catch him.
” I had an excellent grasp [on the guillotine choke]. It was easy for me to do. It was too short a time so I expected Neil to defend it. Maybe he decided to stop after just two beatings. Usually with this grip, I need seven or eight seconds to put someone to sleep.”
Rakhmonov also was asked about possible fights against Sean Brady. He is still waiting to hear from his next opponent. Brady has been calling out several high-ranking welterweights over the past few weeks.
“He’s very good,” Rakhmonov said about Brady. He’s an excellent fighter and I believe he is undefeated. We will meet each other when his time comes. The UFC .”
will decide.
With a 4-0 record in the UFC, Rakhmonov will undoubtedly make his biggest jump up the welterweight ladder — he entered Saturday’s event tied for the No. 13 spot in MMA Fighting’s Global Rankings — following a win over an established contender like Magny, although he’s still gaining traction with fans who may not recognize him as much quite yet.
While he’s quietly put together an impressive resume, the 27-year-old Kazakh fighter hasn’t received nearly as much hype as Khamzat Chimaev, another undefeated welterweight on the roster.
Rakhmonov seemed to not care about that, as he ignored a question regarding Chimaev and put his complete faith in UFC to determine when and how he is pushed.
“It is up to Dana White [how to promote me],” Rakhmonov.
With three undefeated fighters — Rakhmonov, Chimaev and Brady — all creeping up towards the top of the welterweight division, the UFC president has an embarrassment of riches on his hands as he starts looking ahead at 2022 and beyond.
