The undefeated Kazakh fighter continues to confidently ascend towards the pinnacle of global MMA and is already regarded as one of the leading contenders for the UFC championship belt in 2025. His name consistently arises among those fighters capable of rewriting the history of the welterweight division. Analysts from the publication believe that "Nomad" possesses all the qualities necessary to become the world champion this year, as reported by Shavkat Rakhmonov LiveSport Vesti.kz.
Rakhmonov's record is impressive: 19 consecutive victories, 18 of which ended in a finish. Such a result leaves even the most skeptical fans in awe.
However, his recent bout at UFC 310 against Irishman Ian Garry (15-1) sparked mixed discussions.
Although Rakhmonov won by unanimous decision, this fight demonstrated that even "Nomad" can face challenges when it comes to a tough opponent.
But ahead lies a truly significant test - a title fight against the current UFC welterweight champion, which promises to be one of the most exciting events.
Belal MuhammadBelal is known for his enduring style and powerful pressure, but experts believe that his fighting technique is predictable and lacks diversity.
"Shavkat is capable of throwing opponents off rhythm, attacking from any position. His striking arsenal is much more varied. It won't be easy for Belal to find an effective response to such tactics," they note in LiveSport.
Shavkat, on the other hand, is not slowing down and dedicates all his free time to training. Rakhmonov aims not only to stay at the top but also to make history as the first UFC champion from Kazakhstan.
The fight with Muhammad will be Rakhmonov's seventh in the UFC. Although they were supposed to face off at UFC 310, the champion got injured and had to withdraw. Consequently, Garry stepped in and was the first to go the distance against Shavkat.
— Jake Noecker (@JakeNoeckerMMA)
My 2025 UFC champ predictions: WSW: Zhang Weili WFLW: Manon Fiorot WBW: Kayla Harrison FLW: Alexandre Pantoja BW: Merab Dvalishvili FW: Ilia Topuria LW: Islam Makhachev WW: Shavkat Rakhmonov MW: Khamzat Chimaev LHW: Magomed Ankalaev HW: Tom Aspinall
https://t.co/vtq0B1Bibq January 4, 2025