Shavkat Rakhmonov made his public debut at UFC 285. He defeated Geoff Neal through submission in a thrilling fight. In a back-and-forth struggle, “Nomad” beat and battered his opponent before securing a standing rear-naked choke to make “Handz of Steel” submit. In his post-fight interview, the Kazakh sensation publicly challenged Colby Covington after defeating his opponent. Although it was a wise callout, he probably won’t be able to persuade Chaos to return to the ring and face him. Other combinations should be looked into instead. A contest with another unbeaten 170 wrestler can be one of these encounters.
In a catchweight fight, Khamzat Chimaev recently submitted Kevin Holland in the first round to win. Moving ahead, neither man has a specific opponent in mind. Consequently, the UFC should explore pairing ‘Borz’ up with ‘Nomad’.
5. It would be a rare, high-level bout between fighters who have never lost.
In MMA’s lower divisions, fights between athletes who have never lost are increasingly frequent. So, if both fighters are unranked, viewers are more likely to see matches involving unbeaten mixed martial artists. The UFC prioritises the preservation of fighters’ unbeaten streaks once they reach a particular point to increase their value. Both Khamzat Chimaev and Shavkat Rakhmonov are versatile welterweights who are undefeated. The outcome of a hypothetical match between the two men might determine who becomes the next great title challenger. The two men are on the verge of a title fight.
The match could easily serve as the co-main event of a pay-per-view (PPV) that features just one title battle and create a tonne of buzz. If the UFC plays its cards properly, a future welterweight title battle might be the main event, with a matchup between Rakhmonov and Chimaev serving as the co-main event.
#4. The bout could crown next-generation stars
The UFC is constantly looking for fresh stars to aid in PPV income generation. Younger boxers are typically better suited to launch a new period of stardom. Due to the number of fights they have participated in, older competitors have less time left in their physical prime and have also collected greater injuries.
Both youthful combatants, Shavkat Rakhmonov and Khamzat Chimaev, are in their late 20s. They might be the promotion’s welterweight stars of the future. If the two compete, the needle-mover at 170 lbs. will come out on top. If the fight is close, the loser’s reputation won’t suffer.
Nomad and Borz may one day take the places of Kamaru Usman and Colby Covington, who were formerly thought of as the two most important welterweights in the world. Covington and Usman are both in their mid-thirties and on the cusp of ageing.
#3. Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Khamzat Chimaev could be a marketable rivalry
Some of the most consistent factors that increase interest in fights are rivalries. Even while trash-talkers like Conor McGregor are generally a safer bet, the Irishman has leveraged tense rivalries and feuds to fuel the popularity of some of his finest pay-per-view events. The conflict between Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier led to his most popular pay-per-view. Although Shavkat Rakhmonov and Khamzat Chimaev are not hostile to one another, rivalries don’t usually develop because of personal hostility. The loser will be in an uncomfortable situation once the two collide and a winner is determined. They’ll have something to prove, and this might fuel some rivalry.
Everything would become secondary to defeating the man who handed them their first-ever professional defeat. A possible rivalry would make a clash a surefire draw. Their initial confrontation will spark curiosity, and their rematch will build on that success.
#2. It would be Khamzat Chimaev’s last chance at welterweight
Dana White, the president of the UFC, has reaffirmed his support for Khamzat Chimaev’s decision to commit to a long-term transition to middleweight. The Chechen’s fight with Nate Diaz at welterweight was cancelled as a result of his disastrous weigh-in failure before to UFC 279, and he saw a modest drop in popularity with the organisation.
Borz was no longer mentioned as a potential double champion. Shavkat Rakhmonov, meantime, has developed into a more dependable, competent, and serious persona. He deserves one final opportunity to make things right, despite the promotion’s insistence that he commit to 185 pounds.
According to Chimaev, physicians prevented him from continuing his weight loss. The UFC can schedule him to fight a challenging opponent at 170 pounds like Shavkat Rakhmonov if they want to be extremely strict while yet giving him one last opportunity to win their trust.
The UFC will understand that they have placed all of their eggs in the proper basket if he triumphs. Yet, if Chimaev loses, Rakhmonov will be a more dependable replacement for the promotion.
#1. It would be a true title test for Shavkat Rakhmonov
Despite the Kazakh phenom’s spectacular victory over Geoff Neal, it wasn’t enough to give him a shot at the divisional throne. Shavkat Rakhmonov needs to defeat one more opponent who is ranked higher. Since September, Khamzat Chimaev has not entered the octagon.
Moreover, “Borz” doesn’t have any upcoming fights. In order to be considered for a challenge against the current welterweight champion, Shavkat Rakhmonov needs to achieve a signature victory. Although Nomad is a very skilled fighter, his potential is still unexplored.
He needs to overcome a competitor who is closer to the division’s top spot in order to get a crack at the title. Khamzat Chimaev is the third-ranked 170 wrestler in the group. There will be no denying ‘Nomad’ the opportunity to overthrow the divisional leader if he succeeds in beating him.