UFC Vegas 57: Shavkat Rakhmonov Wants Wonderboy, Gamebred, or Diaz

Las Vegas, NV — Kazakh welterweight Shavkat Rakhmonov got his toughest test to date at UFC Vegas 57 on Saturday — and passed with flying colors.

Paired up with veteran Neil Magny, Rakhmonov locked up a guillotine choke with just seconds left in the second round. The win was cause for celebration, but even more impressive than the victory was that it extended Rakhmonov’s finishing streak.

With a 16-0 record as a pro, he’s finished all 16 fights. A 100% finish rate is almost unheard for fighters with more than 10 wins. Since 2014, Rakhmonov has basically been batting 1.000.

“I’m very happy to make my country proud,” Rakhmonov said following the win, speaking to media outlets including Cageside Press at the UFC Apex. “I beat a top 10 guy; step by step, we’re going to get to the title.”

Getting the finish against Magny, he explained, was a matter of patience. “He was a good opponent, that’s why I wasn’t forcing the action, wasn’t rushing. Just was waiting for him to make a mistake, and to catch him.”

With his fourth UFC win secured, Rakhmonov is primed for big things — but he’s not rushing into a fight. “As always, I’m not going to rush. I’m going to take my time, rest, and assess everything with my team,” he said, adding “but the names I want to face are Stephen Thompson, Nate Diaz, [Jorge] Masvidal. Let’s go.”

Wonderboy, Gamebred, or a Diaz brother. That’s quite the list. One other name was suggested to Shavkat Rakhmonov, and he’s down for that also: Sean Brady.

Like Rakhmonov, Brady is undefeated as a pro, sporting a 15-0 record.

“He’s very good, very good fighter, also undefeated, Rakhmonov agreed. “I think the time will come and we’ll face each other. So it’s up to the UFC.”

Asked if he’d like a Khamzat Chimaev style build-up, given the lack of a promotional push he’s had to date, Rakhmonov appeared willing to let the boss decide.

“It’s up to Dana White.”

Watch the full UFC Vegas 57 post-fight press scrum with Shavkat Rakhmonov above. More coverage from the event can be found below.