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Robert Whittaker Explains Why UFC Could Gift Welterweight Title Shot To Former Champion: ‘A Lot Of Balls In His Court’

Kamaru Usman could be back in the mix at the top of the welterweight division despite the fact that he has lost his last three fights inside the Octagon. The former welterweight champion may be without a win since he lost the title in his second fight with Leon Edwards but he has other factors […]

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Kamaru Usman could be back in the mix at the top of the welterweight division despite the fact that he has lost his last three fights inside the Octagon.

The former welterweight champion may be without a win since he lost the title in his second fight with Leon Edwards but he has other factors that make him a credible contender.

Shavkat Rakhmonov may be the clear option on paper but the undefeated finisher doesn’t have the same pedigree and longstanding relationship with the UFC.

The relationship that Usman has built up with the promotion was on full display at UFC 294, where he stepped in to fight Khamzat Chimaev up a weight class on short notice.

Robert Whittaker believes that this puts him in a strong position to get the title shot.

Robert Whittaker Says Kamaru Usman’s UFC 294 Save Puts Him On Good Terms With The UFC

Whittaker isn’t the first to suggest that Usman may be more likely to get the first shot at Belal Muhammad, it would appear.

Rakhmonov has already stated that he was offered to fight Muhammad at UFC 307 but the fight didn’t get signed because the champion couldn’t make that turnaround after winning the title at the end of July.

On a recent episode of his MMArcade Podcast, Whittaker gave his thoughts on whether “The Nigerian Nightmare” will be able to secure this fight after what he has done for the UFC in the past.

“I think after Usman stepped in to fight Chimaev on a week’s notice, I feel like that’s a lot of balls in his court. I feel like that’s a lot of weight cuz that’s pretty ballsy, it was a pretty good fight. I don’t know, I wouldn’t be terribly upset if he gets a title shot.”

Whittaker’s co-host on the podcast, Jonny Roses, referenced how after that fight at UFC 294, Dana White went into the Octagon to thank Usman for taking this fight on short notice.

“The Reaper” responded by saying that though he can see Usman getting a title shot or an eliminator, he doesn’t think the promotion will want to do what is best for Muhammad.

“It’s hard to say, I can see them giving it to Usman because of that but Usman hasn’t been in for a long time. I could also say I can also see them fighting Shavkat for that reason but I can’t see UFC doing Belal too much of a solid in terms of matching up his hardest opponents together, you know what I mean. I don’t think he’s earned that credit strip yet.”

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Chael Sonnen Feels Kamaru Usman Can Hijack Title Shot: UFC Not Ready For Muhammad vs Rakhmonov Presser

When Belal Muhammad defeated Leon Edwards to become the welterweight champion at UFC 304, there was a common consensus for who his first challenger would be. At 18-0 with all finishes, Shavkat Rakhmonov currently holds the #3-ranking at 170-pounds and is a huge threat to anyone in the division. There is, however, another contender that […]

Continue Reading Chael Sonnen Feels Kamaru Usman Can Hijack Title Shot: UFC Not Ready For Muhammad vs Rakhmonov Presser at MMA News.

When Belal Muhammad defeated Leon Edwards to become the welterweight champion at UFC 304, there was a common consensus for who his first challenger would be.

At 18-0 with all finishes, Shavkat Rakhmonov currently holds the #3-ranking at 170-pounds and is a huge threat to anyone in the division.

There is, however, another contender that is still ranked above Rakhmonov despite the fact that he has lost his last three fights.

Former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman was beaten by Edwards in consecutive fights before taking a short notice opportunity against Khamzat Chimaev up at middleweight.

Though he may be lacking some momentum right now, Usman was a dominant champion whose name still carries a lot of weight, which could be enough to see him jump back into the title picture.

Chael Sonnen Says Kamaru Usman Needs To Push For Welterweight Title Shot Because He’s So Close

In a recent YouTube video, Chael Sonnen was very keen to push just how close Usman is to the title shot for a number of reasons.

He said that he needed to come out and say this after “The Nigerian Nightmare” had called out Rakhmonov when in reality, he should be trying to get the title shot instead because it’s possible.

Sonnen made reference to how despite both men having fanbases away from the usual US audience of the UFC, the promotion might have some doubts about having Muhammad and Rakhmonov headline an event – which Usman can use to better his case.

With Usman being a much more familiar face, he could jump in front of Rakhmonov thanks to his name and pedigree even if his fellow contender is much more deserving based on current form.

“He is right there about to get Belal, I mean he is right there. There is only one guy even in discussion that might nudge him out and that is Rakhmonov and it’s wildly important that they get this figured out. If Rakhmonov nudges him out, there’s probably not going to be another time that Kamaru’s going to be needed.

“This is the time, he’s got to beat him. Rakhmonov has got to shine himself up just a little bit more. The UFC, no matter how big it is and no matter what the fan base is, is not ready for a press conference with Muhammad and Rakhmonov and Kamaru Usman has got to push that narrative. I’m only sharing that because he is this close and at one point he didn’t know it.”

Continue Reading Chael Sonnen Feels Kamaru Usman Can Hijack Title Shot: UFC Not Ready For Muhammad vs Rakhmonov Presser at MMA News.

Report – Geoff Neal vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov rebooked for UFC 285 on March 4.

A welterweight matchup between division contenders, Geoff Neal, and the undefeated, Shavkat Rakhmonov has been rescheduled for UFC 285 on March 4. at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Initially scheduled to take place this weekend in the co-main event of UFC Vegas 67, Texas striker, Neal was forced to withdraw from his fight […]

A welterweight matchup between division contenders, Geoff Neal, and the undefeated, Shavkat Rakhmonov has been rescheduled for UFC 285 on March 4. at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Initially scheduled to take place this weekend in the co-main event of UFC Vegas 67, Texas striker, Neal was forced to withdraw from his fight with the unbeaten Kazakh native, Rakhmonov, citing an undisclosed injury.

And as per an initial report from ESPN MMA reporter, Brett Okamoto this Wednesday evening, the matchup between Geoff Neal and Shavkat Rakhmonov has been rebooked for UFC 285 on March 4. in ‘Sin City’.

Geoff Neal x Shavkat Rakhmonov has been moved to UFC 285 on March 4.

“Welterweight fight between Geoff Neal (@handzofsteelmma) and Shavkat Rakhmonov (@Rakhmonov1994) that was booked for Jan. 14 has been rebooked for UFC 285 on March 4, per sources,” Okamoto tweeted.

Welterweight fight between Geoff Neal (@handzofsteelmma) and Shavkat Rakhmonov (@Rakhmonov1994) that was booked for Jan. 14 has been rebooked for UFC 285 on March 4, per sources.

— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) January 4, 2023

Neal, the current #7 ranked UFC welterweight contender, is riding an impressive winning run of two straight fights, defeating Santiago Ponzinibbio in a split decision win, before stopping Vicente Luque with strikes back in August of this year. The stoppage earned Neal a Performance of the Night bonus.

Boasting an impressive 16-0 professional record, Rakhmonov has never been the distance during his professional career, landing eight knockout wins to go with a further eight submission victories.

Last time out, Rakhmonov handed a guillotine submission loss to Neil Magny, adding to consecutive finishes over the trio of Carlston Harris, Michel Prazeres, and Alex Oliveira.

Prior to his Octagon landing back in 2020, Rakhmonov landed the M-1 Global welterweight title, before defending the belt in a TKO win over Tiago Varejao.

UFC 285 takes place on March 4. from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada – with an official headlining fight for the pay-per-view event yet to be determined officially by the promotion. Reports have suggested recently how former two-time light heavyweight champion, Jon Jones may return at the event in a heavyweight division bow.

Chael Sonnen suggests UFC recall for Kevin Lee in short notice fight against Shavkat Rakhmonov

Former UFC light heavyweight and middleweight title challenger, Chael Sonnen has claimed the promotion should look to book promotional alum, Kevin Lee in an Octagon return against the unbeaten, Shavkat Rakhmonov at welterweight – in a short notice fight. Lee, a former interim lightweight title challenger under the banner of the UFC, parted ways with […]

Lee, a former interim lightweight title challenger under the banner of the UFC, parted ways with the organization back in 2021 following a unanimous decision loss against Californian kickboxing talent, Daniel Rodriguez.

Penning a multi-fight deal to compete for Eagle FC – headed up by former undisputed UFC lightweight champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Lee debuted in the promotion with a unanimous decision win over fellow UFC veteran, Diego Sanchez in a 165lbs main event back in March of last year.

For Rakhmonov, the undefeated finishing ace, was scheduled to co-headline UFC Vegas 66 next weekend against Texas striker, Geoff Neal, however, an undisclosed injury has ruled the latter from proceedings.

At the time of publication, the Kazakh contender has yet to be rebooked against Neal, and it is currently unknown if the promotion will attempt to keep him on the card against a different opponent.

Chael Sonnen suggests an incoming UFC return for Kevin Lee

According to the above-mentioned, Sonnen, however, if he were to play matchmaker, he would look to offer the previously noted, Lee another chance in the promotion – in the form of a short-notice fight with Rakhmonov.

“I had a suggestion of Kevin Lee,” Chael Sonnen said on this YouTube channel. “Now, you guys know, a lot of that is personal, I would like to see Kevin Lee get back – Kevin Lee is coming off a win just to remind you. I didn’t like how Kevin Lee left (the UFC) in the first place. Kevin was hurt with a knee injury – returns off of an injury, which is never great for anybody. Then you’ve got the layoff which is never great for anybody, and then he goes to a weight class that he’s never competed in, which is never great for anybody.”

“…Rakhmonov got back to me, and he said he would do the Kevin Lee fight,” Chael Sonnen continued. “I respect it. I have no bigger point than that, I am just sharing with you.”

Boasting an impressive 16-0 professional record and currently holding the #10 rank in the official welterweight rankings, Rakhmonov most recently submitted Neil Magny with a guillotine choke, following consecutive finishes over Carlston Harris, Michel Prazeres, and Alex Oliveira.

Shavkat Rakhmonov responds to Kevin Lee’s callout of Khamzat Chimaev: “Where do I fit into this?”

Undefeated UFC welterweight prospect Shavkat Rakhmonov has recently taken a jab at former lightweight and welterweight talent Kevin Lee, who recently called out Khamzat Chimaev despite not being signed with the UFC himself. Lee recently tweeted the following regarding Chechnya native: “All I’m saying is I’m willing. Don’t act like everybody(‘s) scared of the man.” […]

Lee recently tweeted the following regarding Chechnya native: “All I’m saying is I’m willing. Don’t act like everybody(‘s) scared of the man.”

It’s hard to imagine this fight would even be put together, considering Lee left the UFC over a year ago. He also has three fights left on his deal with Eagle FC, following a four-fight contract he signed with the promotion in late 2021.

Lee defeated The Ultimate Fighter 1 winner Diego Sanchez in his Eagle FC debut, a lackluster performance that gave ‘The MoTown Phenom’ his first win in over two years, improving his record to 19-7 in the process. However, he’s still only 3-5 in his last eight.

Shavkat Rakhmonov responded to the tweet stating: “Where do I fit into this?”

Where do I fit into this? https://t.co/GQ9z0vlnMf

— Shavkat “Nomad” Rakhmonov (@Rakhmonov1994) December 30, 2022

It’s a reasonable question, because he’s the perfect next match up for Chimaev according to many fans and media members.

For one, Rakhmonov is currently under the UFC umbrella, and for two, it’d be an undefeated versus undefeated match up.

Rakhmonov just lost his match up with Geoff Neal, who was forced to withdraw from their January showdown with an injury. Neal is the only man to knock out both Mike Perry and Vicente Luque, and Rakhmonov is currently in search of another dance partner considering.

Rakhmonov is 16-0 (4-0 UFC) as a professional with finishes in all 16 wins (8 knockout, 8 submission), while Chimaev is 12-0 (6-0 UFC) as a professional with 11 finishes (6 knockout, 5 submission).

Should the UFC make this fight next, someone’s 0 will have to go.

But, these are perhaps the no. 1 and no. 2 hottest prospects in the sport right now, they’re both 28 years old, they’re both undefeated with a combined record of 28-0 (10-0 UFC with 9 finishes), and they’d probably end up rematching for the belt someday down the road.

Who knows, maybe they’d even have a trilogy as well.

Do you think Shavkat Rakhmonov vs Khamzat Chimaev is the fight to make next?

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[UPDATE] Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Geoff Neal Has New Date

UPDATE: Per ESPN, Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Geoff Neal has been rescheduled for March 4 at UFC 285. [ORIGINAL STORY PUBLISHED DECEMBER 29, 2022, 8:46 AM EST] Rising UFC welterweight contender Shavkat Rakhmonov has directed a shot at Geoff Neal following th…

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