The renowned MMA fighter, in an interview with SPORT+, shared his predictions for the title fight between the Kazakhstani and American Belal Muhammad, as reported by .
Damir Ismagulov Shavkat Rakhmonov Vesti.kzOn December 8 in Las Vegas, Belal will defend his title for the first time against the undefeated Kazakhstani Shavkat Rakhmonov (18-0). "I hope that Shavkat will be the first, but certainly not the last, to bring a championship belt to Kazakhstan. He has everything right now. He is young and possesses a lot of the proper skills instilled in him by Bayan Maratovich Jangalov. I am confident that Shavkat will take the belt; he is superior in skills and is psychologically better suited for fights," said Ismagulov.
For Shavkat, who is ranked third in the UFC welterweight division, this will be his first fight in 2024.
Belal became the new UFC champion in July when he won a unanimous decision against British fighter Leon Edwards (22-4) and took the belt from him.