Tag: Shavkat Rakhmonov

Shavkat Rakhmonov reacts to Jack Della Maddalena’s call for a fight following UFC 299 victory

Shavkat Rakhmonov reacts to Jack Della Maddalena's call for a fight following UFC 299 victoryShavkat Rakhmonov thinks Jack Della Maddalena should be careful what he wishes for. The Aussie standout made it 17…

Shavkat Rakhmonov reacts to Jack Della Maddalena's call for a fight following UFC 299 victory

Shavkat Rakhmonov thinks Jack Della Maddalena should be careful what he wishes for.

The Aussie standout made it 17 in a row on Saturday night, scoring a sensational come-from-behind victory over perennial contender Gilbert Burns at UFC 299. Immediately following his seventh win inside the Octagon, JDM called for a fight with one of the scariest dudes in the division.

“There’s some scary people in this division, and I’m the f*cking scariest,” Della Maddalena said during his post-fight interview. “Shavkat Rakhmonov, I think me and you could make a hell of a title eliminator. One of the best in the business, let’s go!”

Getting wind of Della Maddalena’s callout, the undefeated ‘Nomad’ commended his confidence, but cautioned JDM for biting off a bit more than he can chew.

“I respect your courage and confidence Jack, but you will face the same fate as my previous opponents,” Rakhmonov wrote on X.

Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Jack Della Maddalena Makes a lot of sense

Thus far, Shavkat Rakhmonov is undefeated in his mixed martial arts career, dispatching all 18 of his opponents inside the distance with 10 submissions and eight knockouts. Through his last three appearances, ‘Nomad’ has worked his way through a slew of welterweight gatekeepers, including Neil Magny, Geoff Neal, and Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson. As a result, Rakhmonov currently sits as the No. 3 ranked contender in the division.

Before UFC 299, Jack Della Maddalena was sitting in the No. 11 slot, but after his performance against Gilbert Burns, JDM will likely find himself firmly placed in the top five, making a clash with Rakhmonov the next logical step for both men.

Jack Della Maddalena KOs Gilbert Burns and calls out Shavkat Rakhmonov

Aussie standout Jack Della Maddalena eyeing UFC welterweight title eliminator with Shavkat Rakhmonov

Jack Della MaddalenaAussie standout Jack Della Maddalena has his sights set on a welterweight title eliminator with the undefeated ‘Nomad’ Shavkat…

Jack Della Maddalena

Aussie standout Jack Della Maddalena has his sights set on a welterweight title eliminator with the undefeated ‘Nomad’ Shavkat Rakhmonov.

Returning to the Octagon on March 9 at UFC 299, Della Maddalena will seek his seventh-straight win as he readies himself to take on the division’s No. 4 ranked contender Gilbert Burns. With a decisive victory, JDM will likely find himself sitting comfortably in the top five and potentially one win away from scoring his first UFC title opportunity.

In Perth to attend the WWE Elimination Chamber event on Saturday, February 24, Della Maddalena revealed that a fight with Kazakhstan’s Rakhmonov is one of his top priorities.

“Yeah, to fight Shavkat Rakhmonov in Perth would be my five-rounder for the title, or for the title eliminator… I think he’s the toughest fighter in the division outside of myself, JDM said in an interview with Submission Radio. “I think that’s where the big challenge lies. Of course, Gilbert, I’m looking at that 100%, but if I think of the next toughest guy, then yeah, Shavkat Rakhmonov.”

Of course, JDM is by no means looking past Gilbert Burns, who will be his toughest test to date. Thus far, Della Maddalena has secured victories over Pete Rodriguez, Ramazan Emeev, Danny Roberts, Randy Brown, Bassil Hafez, and Kevin Holland.

Like JDM, Shavkat Rakhmonov is 6-0 inside the Octagon with his most recent appearance coming against two-time title challenger Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson at UFC 296 in December. Nomad’ scored a rear-naked choke submission in the closing seconds of the second round, moving to an impressive 18-0 in his mixed martial arts career and keeping his 100% finish rate intact.

Is Jack Della Maddalena vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov the fight to make if JDM can get past perennial contender Gilbert Burns in Miami?

Prospect of the Year – LowKick MMA 2023 Awards

Prospect of the Year LowKick MMA 2023 awards UFCThis year has seen the emergence of a slew of contenders across the board and multiple divisions in the…

Prospect of the Year LowKick MMA 2023 awards UFC

This year has seen the emergence of a slew of contenders across the board and multiple divisions in the UFC — from almost top-to-bottom.

From the likes of unbeaten starlet, Bo Nickal, to Japanese up and comer, Tatsuro Taira, an even PFL prospect, Dakota Ditcheva, the above trio have stood out leaps and bounds ahead of the rest in terms for bang for your buck for their respective organizations — with each possessing massive career ceilings by the looks of things. However, as far as standouts are concerned, amateur wrestling phenom, Bo Nickal has received the majority of votes by staff at LowKick MMA — crowning him as our Prospect of the Year for 2023.

Prospect of the Year – Bo Nickal – UFC – 2-0-0 (5 votes)

Reveared ahead of his eventual move to the UFC following a pair of bouts on Dana White’s Contender Series, Colorado-born grappling ace, Bo Nickal has already received billing as a surefire top-contender at the middleweight limit in the future — if not a future gold holder.

Nickal, 27, improved his unbeaten professional record to first 4-0 then 5-0 by the end of the summer, landing consecutive victories by submission over Jamie Pickett, and then Val Woodburn with a hasty first round knockout, respectively.

Booked to make his third appearance in the Octagon next year, Nickal returns at a monumental UFC 300 card next April, taking on Cody Brundage.

Honorable Mentions –

Shavkat Rakhmonov – UFC – 2-0-0 (1 vote)

Likely just making the cut-off point to be considering an out-and-out prospect — unbeaten Uzbekistan finishing machine, Shavkat Rakhmonov demonstrated why many have tipped him to win welterweight gold before the end of next year — laying waste to perennial contender, Stephen Thompson in one-sided fashion last weekend.

The 18-0 fighter landed his whopping eighteenth consecutive stoppage win at UFC 296 earlier this month with his second round rear-naked choke win over Thompson, having stopped Geoff Neal with a brutal third round standing rear-naked choke back in March.

Earning the number three rank with his win over Thompson, Rakhmonov has been touted to challenge Leon Edwards for welterweight gold potentially as soon as his next outing.

Tatsuro Taira – UFC – 3-0-0 (1 vote)

Turning in an unbeaten three-fight tenure in the UFC this year, surging Japanese prospect, Tatusro Taira ended the year with a top-15 cracking display against Carlos Hernandez at the beginning of the month, landing in the ranks at the flyweight limit — as well as improving to 15-0 as a professional. This year alone, Taira, 23, has beaten the aforenoted, Hernandez to go with a win over Edgar Chairez, and Jesus Santos Aguilar.

Dakota Ditcheva – PFL – 3-0-0 (1 vote)

British flyweight striker, Dakota Ditcheva not only brought an end to her 2023 schedule boasting an impressive 10-0 undefeated record, but also landed the PFL (Professional Fighters League) Europe flyweight tournament success at the flyweight limit, amid a run of three consecutive finishes.

Ditcheva, 25, has been revered for her impressive striking ability, landing eight career stoppages via knockout so far — the most recent of which in her TKO success against Valentina Scattizi in Dublin earlier this month — minting herself as the PFL flyweight champion of Europe.

Full list of the LowKick MMA 2023 Prospect of the Year votes:

Ross Markey: Bo Nickal

Ian Shutts: Bo Nickal

Craig Pekios: Bo Nickal

Makoa Goble: Shavkat Rakhmonov

Tony King: Bo Nickal

Red Pill MMA: Bo Nickal

Michael Owens: Dakota Ditcheva

Danny Podolsky: Tatsuro Taira

Shavkat Rakhmonov reveals ‘Very serious injury’ suffered ahead of Stephen Thompson fight, almost exited UFC 296

Shavkat Rakhmonov reveals 'Very serious injury' suffered ahead of Stephen Thompson fight, almost exited UFC 296Shavkat Rakhmonov entered the cage at UFC 296 with a pre-existing injury, and it almost caused him to pull…

Shavkat Rakhmonov reveals 'Very serious injury' suffered ahead of Stephen Thompson fight, almost exited UFC 296

Shavkat Rakhmonov entered the cage at UFC 296 with a pre-existing injury, and it almost caused him to pull out of the fight with Stephen Thompson entirely.

The now 18-0 Rakhmonov continued his reign of domination this Saturday at UFC 296, but according to the young superstar: he almost pulled out of the fight. At the UFC 296 post-fight press conference, Rakhmonov himself via translator admitted to coming into the fight with a serious injury. He explained that he had injured his ankle, and it was a “very serious” injury that was bad enough to have him seriously considering withdrawing from the fight.

Instead of taking the safe route, and withdrawing: Shavkat Rakhmonov told the world how he wanted to roll the dice, and “take a gamble”.

Shavkat Rakhmonov gambles his streak, becoming the first to ever submit Stephen Thompson

“I had a very serious injury and I was even close to pulling out from the fight, but I decided to risk it all,” Shavkat Rakhmonov said via a translator on the UFC post-fight show, “And that’s why I didn’t kick it with my legs, just used my knees. But thank God, I got the victory.” (H/T MMA Fighting)

Now 18-0, and the first man to ever submit Stephen Thompson in his 13-year-long career: the sky is the limit for the ‘Nomad’. Doubtlessly looking to continue his climb, a top-ranked opponent is seemingly all that makes sense for the young superstar.

“Hopefully next time, with God’s willing, I’m going to be 100 percent. But it doesn’t matter,” Shavkat Rakhmonov said. “Whatever injury (I have), you know I’m going to fight to my last blood, until the last sip of blood, because I have to get a win.”

“Hopefully next time, with God’s willing, I’m going to be 100 percent. But it doesn’t matter,” Rakhmonov said. “Whatever injury [I have], you know I’m going to fight to my last blood, until the last sip of blood, because I have to get a win.”

What did you think of Shavkat Rakhmonov’s performance over Stephen Thompson at UFC 296?

Featured Image Credits to Embed from Getty Images

Shavkat Rakhmonov reveals ‘Very serious injury’ suffered ahead of Stephen Thompson fight, almost exited UFC 296

Shavkat Rakhmonov reveals 'Very serious injury' suffered ahead of Stephen Thompson fight, almost exited UFC 296Shavkat Rakhmonov entered the cage at UFC 296 with a pre-existing injury, and it almost caused him to pull…

Shavkat Rakhmonov reveals 'Very serious injury' suffered ahead of Stephen Thompson fight, almost exited UFC 296

Shavkat Rakhmonov entered the cage at UFC 296 with a pre-existing injury, and it almost caused him to pull out of the fight with Stephen Thompson entirely.

The now 18-0 Rakhmonov continued his reign of domination this Saturday at UFC 296, but according to the young superstar: he almost pulled out of the fight. At the UFC 296 post-fight press conference, Rakhmonov himself via translator admitted to coming into the fight with a serious injury. He explained that he had injured his ankle, and it was a “very serious” injury that was bad enough to have him seriously considering withdrawing from the fight.

Instead of taking the safe route, and withdrawing: Shavkat Rakhmonov told the world how he wanted to roll the dice, and “take a gamble”.

Shavkat Rakhmonov gambles his streak, becoming the first to ever submit Stephen Thompson

“I had a very serious injury and I was even close to pulling out from the fight, but I decided to risk it all,” Shavkat Rakhmonov said via a translator on the UFC post-fight show, “And that’s why I didn’t kick it with my legs, just used my knees. But thank God, I got the victory.” (H/T MMA Fighting)

Now 18-0, and the first man to ever submit Stephen Thompson in his 13-year-long career: the sky is the limit for the ‘Nomad’. Doubtlessly looking to continue his climb, a top-ranked opponent is seemingly all that makes sense for the young superstar.

“Hopefully next time, with God’s willing, I’m going to be 100 percent. But it doesn’t matter,” Shavkat Rakhmonov said. “Whatever injury (I have), you know I’m going to fight to my last blood, until the last sip of blood, because I have to get a win.”

“Hopefully next time, with God’s willing, I’m going to be 100 percent. But it doesn’t matter,” Rakhmonov said. “Whatever injury [I have], you know I’m going to fight to my last blood, until the last sip of blood, because I have to get a win.”

What did you think of Shavkat Rakhmonov’s performance over Stephen Thompson at UFC 296?

Featured Image Credits to Embed from Getty Images

Shavkat Rakhmonov reveals ‘Very serious injury’ suffered ahead of Stephen Thompson fight, almost exited UFC 296

Shavkat Rakhmonov reveals 'Very serious injury' suffered ahead of Stephen Thompson fight, almost exited UFC 296Shavkat Rakhmonov entered the cage at UFC 296 with a pre-existing injury, and it almost caused him to pull…

Shavkat Rakhmonov reveals 'Very serious injury' suffered ahead of Stephen Thompson fight, almost exited UFC 296

Shavkat Rakhmonov entered the cage at UFC 296 with a pre-existing injury, and it almost caused him to pull out of the fight with Stephen Thompson entirely.

The now 18-0 Rakhmonov continued his reign of domination this Saturday at UFC 296, but according to the young superstar: he almost pulled out of the fight. At the UFC 296 post-fight press conference, Rakhmonov himself via translator admitted to coming into the fight with a serious injury. He explained that he had injured his ankle, and it was a “very serious” injury that was bad enough to have him seriously considering withdrawing from the fight.

Instead of taking the safe route, and withdrawing: Shavkat Rakhmonov told the world how he wanted to roll the dice, and “take a gamble”.

Shavkat Rakhmonov gambles his streak, becoming the first to ever submit Stephen Thompson

“I had a very serious injury and I was even close to pulling out from the fight, but I decided to risk it all,” Shavkat Rakhmonov said via a translator on the UFC post-fight show, “And that’s why I didn’t kick it with my legs, just used my knees. But thank God, I got the victory.” (H/T MMA Fighting)

Now 18-0, and the first man to ever submit Stephen Thompson in his 13-year-long career: the sky is the limit for the ‘Nomad’. Doubtlessly looking to continue his climb, a top-ranked opponent is seemingly all that makes sense for the young superstar.

“Hopefully next time, with God’s willing, I’m going to be 100 percent. But it doesn’t matter,” Shavkat Rakhmonov said. “Whatever injury (I have), you know I’m going to fight to my last blood, until the last sip of blood, because I have to get a win.”

“Hopefully next time, with God’s willing, I’m going to be 100 percent. But it doesn’t matter,” Rakhmonov said. “Whatever injury [I have], you know I’m going to fight to my last blood, until the last sip of blood, because I have to get a win.”

What did you think of Shavkat Rakhmonov’s performance over Stephen Thompson at UFC 296?

Featured Image Credits to Embed from Getty Images