Shavkat Rakhmonov had proved himself in 2021 to be a top-flight prospect in the UFC’s welterweight division.
Following back-to-back wins over Alex Oliveira and Michael Prazeres, the Khazakstani fighter brought his 14-0 record to UFC Vegas 47, where he was paired up with Carlson Harris. Harris, like Rakhmonov, had won his first two fights inside the octagon, but was more of an under-the-radar prospect.
Rakhmonov held center early in Saturday night’s main card affair. Harris seemed content to live on the outside, looking to land counters and occasionally throwing to the body. Rakhmonov, light on his feet, methodically pressed forward; Harris’ punches started to get sloppy. That created an opening for Rakhmonov, who appeared to hurt Harris with a spinning back kick while closing the distance and initiating a clinch.
The drawback of the clinch, however, was that it gave Harris time to recover. Rakhmonov wound up reversed, but he was able to get the fight down with a trip. Just as deftly, Harris was able to get back up. Slick. Slicker was the spinning hook kick that Rakhmonov followed up with — flooring Harris as it landed flush to the head! Follow up strikes finished Harris off, and Shavkat Rakhmonov improved to 15-0 just like that.
THE HYPE TRAIN ROLLS ON 🚂
🇰🇿 Shavkat Rakhmonov adds ANOTHER finish on his resume! #UFCVegas47 pic.twitter.com/yxlhRVFApo
— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) February 6, 2022
Top flight prospect? When it comes to Shavkat Rakhmonov, you’d better believe it.
Official Result: Shavkat Rakhmonov def. Carlston Harris by KO (head kick and punches), Round 1, 4:10
