Las Vegas, NV – UFC welterweight Shavkat Rakhmonov is looking for a title shot fresh off a victory over Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson at UFC 296.
“Time will show, but I’m definitely ready for the title shot,” Rakhmonov told reporters including Cageside Press at his post-fight scrum.
“I’m very happy to get this win. It’s very important fight for me. I believe, not only for me, but also for my team (and) for my country so I’m very happy.”
Thompson has always been a tough fight to prepare for with his karate style and solid takedown defense.
“I prepared very well for this fight. I had to be patient. I believe I won the first round and I wasn’t in a rush to get the finish first, but I got it eventually. I believe it was a good fight,” he said.
Even with Thompson being primarily a striker he has never been submitted before. Rakhmonov achieved the feat at UFC 296.
ANOTHER NIGHT, ANOTHER FINISH FOR SHAVKAT RAKHMONOV 😤 #UFC296 pic.twitter.com/RkQjzNgTRl
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) December 17, 2023
“He’s very good in this department too. That’s why I didn’t rush it. Even when I got the choke hold I didn’t try to finish it as soon as possible,” he said.
“But got the finish eventually.”
Rakhmonov has been mostly a mysterious figure for fans with the language barrier, but with such an exciting fighting style he remains popular.
“My fight speaking for itself. The language is important,” Rakhmonov told Cageside Press.
“I’m also going to learn it.”
Watch the entire post-fight scrum with Shavkat Rakhmonov above.
