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Tag: Shavkat Rakhmonov

  • Ian Garry Outlines ‘Ideal Scenario’ For UFC 310 & Beyond: ‘Take Out Shavkat Early…’

    Ian Garry Outlines ‘Ideal Scenario’ For UFC 310 & Beyond: ‘Take Out Shavkat Early…’

    Ian Garry is setting his sights on a quick finish against Shavkat Rakhmonov in their upcoming showdown, with a strategy for making a lightning-fast return to the Octagon.

    Garry is slated to face Rakhmonov in a crucial five-round welterweight clash that s expected to determine the next title challenger. This highly anticipated showdown is set as the co-main event of UFC 310, taking place on Dec. 7 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

    “The Future” was never part of the original lineup to co-headline the UFC’s final pay-per-view event of the year. Garry had been scheduled to face Joaquin Buckley at the UFC Fight Night in Tampa on Dec. 14. The Irishman stepped up on short notice when reigning 170-pound champion Belal Muhammad withdrew from his title defense against “Nomad” due to a bone infection.

    Consequently, Colby Covington was enlisted as an eleventh-hour substitute to fill the void left by Garry’s departure, stepping in to face Buckley in a reshuffled matchup.

    “Chaos” has been firmly on Garry’s radar for nearly a year, with both fighters sharing a simmering animosity that has only fueled their rivalry. This tension drives “The Future” to aim for a swift and injury-free victory over Rakhmonov this Saturday, paving the way for a hypothetical return the following weekend to finally settle the score with the former UFC interim champion.

    During a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, Garry said that, following a possible victory over Rakhmonov, he plans to approach the UFC’s top brass with a bold request.

    “Here is my ideal scenario,” Garry said. “I go out there Dec. 7 and I take out Shavkat early. I come out of there unscathed and uninjured. I get on the mic and say, ‘Hey, I could wait until next year when Belal Muhammad is back. Or… Dana [White], Hunter [Campbell], UFC, I could walk my ass all the way down to Florida, and I could beat the bollocks out of Colby Covington for 25 minutes, and I can prove how good I am next week.’

    “I would love to beat Shavkat, and the following week fight in the main event in Tampa and bury Colby Covington and leave him dead and done in the Octagon, never to be seen again.”

    Garry enters the UFC 310 bout on the heels of a dominant unanimous decision victory over Michael ‘Venom’ Page at UFC 303 this past June. The win marked his second triumph of the year and extended his impressive streak to eight consecutive victories inside the Octagon.

  • Charles Oliveira To Corner Ian Garry For UFC 310 Co-Main Event

    Charles Oliveira To Corner Ian Garry For UFC 310 Co-Main Event

    Ian Garry will be benefiting from Charles Oliveira’s expertise during his high-stakes bout on Saturday.

    “The Future” is set to clash with fellow unbeaten star Shavkat Rakhmonov in a welterweight battle that could determine the next title contender. The five-round showdown will take the spotlight as the co-main event of UFC 310 on Dec. 7 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

    With title implications hanging in the balance, Garry is sparing no effort in preparing for what is arguably the biggest fight of his career. To bolster his chances, the rising Irishman will have former UFC lightweight champion Oliveira in his corner this weekend.

    During a recent Q&A video on his YouTube channel, “The Future” showered praise on “do Bronx,” his training partner at Brazil’s renowned Chute Boxe Academy. He also revealed that the Brazilian veteran will bring his wealth of knowledge to steer him through the highly anticipated bout against Rakhmonov.

    “Charles ‘Do Bronx’ — man’s never been in an unentertaining fight. He’s an absolute savage. I love him, and he’s going to be in my corner for this fight.”

    Garry was originally poised to headline the UFC Fight Night in Tampa on Dec. 14, taking on Joaquin Buckley. However, when reigning welterweight champion Belal Muhammad had to pull out of the UFC 310 main event due to a bone infection, “The Future” didn’t hesitate to step up and agreed to face Rakhmonov on short notice.

    UFC 310 will mark Garry’s third appearance in the Octagon this year. Fresh off a unanimous decision victory over Michael “Venom” Page at UFC 303 in June, he enters the fight with an unblemished 8-0 promotional record.

  • Ian Garry Reveals Shavkat Rakhmonov’s High Praise Ahead Of UFC 310 Clash

    Ian Garry Reveals Shavkat Rakhmonov’s High Praise Ahead Of UFC 310 Clash

    Ian Garry is claiming that Shavkat Rakhmonov holds him in such high esteem that he recognizes championship potential within him.

    Both undefeated fighters are poised to collide in a five-round welterweight showdown, expected to determine the next title challenger. The high-stakes bout is set to serve as the co-main event for UFC 310 on Dec. 7 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

    “The Future” was originally slated to headline the UFC Fight Night in Tampa on Dec. 14 against Joaquin Buckley. However, with reigning 170-pound champion Belal Muhammad withdrawing from the UFC 310 main event due to a bone infection, he swiftly answered the call to face Rakhmonov on short notice.

    Garry and Rakhmonov are no strangers to each other’s skills and strengths, having previously shared training sessions at the renowned Kill Cliff FC gym in Florida.

    During the UFC 310 Countdown show, Garry mentioned that Kill Cliff FC head coach Henri Hooft relayed Rakhmonov’s view that the Irishman possesses championship potential, though he made it clear it wouldn’t be at the cost of his own goals.

    “Me and Shavkat trained a lot together,” Garry said. “I think he’s a phenomenal fighter. Henri Hooft told me Shavkat Rakhmonov and him had a conversation, and he said ‘Shavkat knows you’re going to be the champion one day. But he says ‘Me first and him later.’ So. It’s unfortunate that one of us is going to have to lose. I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure that he’s not getting his hand raised.”

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCRcpPPERSA

    “The Future” is riding high after securing a commanding unanimous decision win over Michael “Venom” Page at UFC 303 in June, pushing his perfect promotional record to 8-0.

    Meanwhile, “Nomad” boasts an unblemished 6-0 streak in the UFC, making his comeback after more than a year away from the Octagon. His last appearance was a submission victory over Stephen Thompson at UFC 296 in December 2023.

  • Shavkat Rakhmonov Sends Welterweight Division Ominous Warning Ahead Of UFC 310 Return

    Shavkat Rakhmonov Sends Welterweight Division Ominous Warning Ahead Of UFC 310 Return

    Shavkat Rakhmonov enters UFC 310 brimming with confidence as he gears up for a five-round welterweight clash against Ian Garry.

    The fight, set to take place this Saturday in the co-main event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, was a shift from the original plan. Rakhmonov was initially slated to challenge Belal Muhammad, but the welterweight champion withdrew from the bout.

    Rakhmonov has built an impeccable 18-0 professional record, with all of his victories coming via knockout or submission. His recent string of dominance includes three consecutive rear-naked choke victories over Neil Magny, Geoff Neal, and Stephen Thompson, solidifying his reputation as a relentless finisher in the welterweight division.

    Speaking on the UFC 310 Countdown show, Rakhmonov reflected on his ongoing evolution as a fighter and his dedication to continuous improvement.

    “I’ve been training at Kill Cliff gym for about three years,” Rakhmonov shared. “There are many fighters at my level, and the competition here is tougher. I think I have enough abilities, but I need to keep improving them. This sport doesn’t stand still, so it’s important to develop skills in all areas continuously. I aim to grow in every area: technique, grappling, and wrestling. In this weight class, I’m a problem for anyone.”

    As Rakhmonov prepares to face another rising star in Garry, fans are eagerly anticipating a showdown that could further cement his status as one of the most dangerous contenders in the welterweight division.

    https://youtu.be/EBuiZj5Jzlc?si=_G39agC4kNCIDY9O
  • Shavkat Rakhmonov Reveals 3 Welterweights Who Were Offered UFC 310 Fight

    Shavkat Rakhmonov Reveals 3 Welterweights Who Were Offered UFC 310 Fight

    According to Shavkat Rakhmonov, upcoming opponent Ian Garry was among four UFC welterweights offered the short-notice assignment for this weekend.

    Rakhmonov and Garry are set to co-headline UFC 310, which comes as the promotion’s final pay-per-view of 2024. The pair will collide across five rounds with a future shot at Belal Muhammad’s title on the line.

    The Kazakh star was originally expecting his championship opportunity to come to fruition on Saturday night but an injury to Muhammad spoiled those plans. As a result, “Nomad” must now defend his status as top contender.

    In “Remember the Name’s” place has stepped Garry, who was initially preparing to headline next weekend’s UFC Fight Night in Tampa against Joaquin Buckley. That booking evidently could have stayed together had one of three other names offered the Rakhmonov fight given positive responses.

    During a recent appearance on Submission Radio, Rakhmonov claimed the UFC sent offers to three different names in the division — Kamaru Usman, Colby Covington, and Carlos Prates.

    The undefeated welterweight said Usman accepted before backing out, Covington straight up rejected, and an injury prevented the rising Prates from getting a big chance to climb the ranks into title contention.

    “I wanted to fight Kamaru Usman. But he didn’t accept the fight,” Rakhmonov said. “Also, they offered (it) to Prates, but he was injured. And Colby Covington, he rejected the fight. And I’m happy that Ian Garry accepted the fight. … In the beginning, (Usman) accepted the fight, and then he rejected. Maybe he didn’t want to risk.”

    Garry will hope that their loss is his gain when he looks to be the one who takes Rakhmonov’s ‘0’ — and maintain his in the process.

    The Kazakh and Irish fighters will set the stage for a championship main event inside T-Mobile Arena, as Alexandre Pantoja welcomes Kai Asakura to the UFC in defense of his flyweight belt.

  • Kamaru Usman Addresses Backlash For Skipping Short-Notice Shavkat Rakhmonov Fight At UFC 310

    Kamaru Usman Addresses Backlash For Skipping Short-Notice Shavkat Rakhmonov Fight At UFC 310

    Kamaru Usman isn’t holding back against the online criticism after choosing to pass on a short-notice clash with Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310.

    Rakhmonov was originally slated to challenge reigning welterweight champion Belal Muhammad in the headlining bout of the UFC’s final pay-per-view of the year on Dec. 7 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. However, the highly anticipated clash was derailed when Muhammad was sidelined by a bone infection in his foot, leaving “Nomad” without an opponent for the big night.

    “The Nigerian Nightmare” initially showed interest in stepping up for a last-minute showdown with Rakhmonov, even hinting that he was gearing up in case the opportunity came his way. However, the former UFC welterweight champion later reconsidered, admitting that the date would come too soon for him to be adequately prepared for such a high-stakes clash.

    As a result, Ian Garry seized the opportunity to step in and face Rakhmonov, relinquishing his previously scheduled main event spot against Joaquin Buckley at the UFC Fight Night in Tampa on Dec. 14.

    This decision sparked a wave of criticism aimed at Usman, with many accusing him of avoiding the undefeated Kazakh.

    During a recent episode of his Pound 4 Pound Podcast, Usman fired back at the fan backlash over his decision. The 37-year-old Nigerian-born American expressed his frustration, stating that fans were quick to judge without fully understanding the circumstances.

    “I’m seeing people online going, ‘Oh, you’re scared, you ducked him,’” Usman said. “When people who are your fans or fans of a fighter don’t get their desired wish, ‘That’s the fight I want,’ then it’s like, ‘Oh no, that guy must be scared because he didn’t take the fight.’ Like, guys, shut up.

    “World champion, defending belts time and time again, oh, he’s scared? Yeah, shut up. Just because you didn’t get what you wanted — guess what? It’s like your mom telling you, ‘No, you can’t have that toy today.’ You know, you can’t have that toy, so shut your mouth.”

    Usman was last seen in action at UFC 294 in October 2023, where he suffered a majority decision loss to Khamzat Chimaev in a short-notice middleweight bout.

    “The Nigerian Nightmare” is currently navigating the toughest stretch of his career, having lost his 170-pound title to Leon Edwards at UFC 278 in August 2022. Since that defeat, he has struggled, posting an 0-2 record in his past two Octagon outings.

  • Joaquin Buckley: Ian Garry Will Beat Shavkat Rakhmonov By ‘Fleeing’ At UFC 310

    Joaquin Buckley: Ian Garry Will Beat Shavkat Rakhmonov By ‘Fleeing’ At UFC 310

    UFC welterweight contender Joaquin Buckley is expecting Ian Garry to maintain his ‘0’ when he does battle with fellow undefeated contender Shavkat Rakhmonov.

    Garry has been drafted in on late notice to co-headline this weekend’s UFC 310 pay-per-view in Las Vegas, where the T-Mobile Arena will play host to a crucial clash at 170 pounds between two of the top unbeaten talents at 170 pounds.

    While Rakhmonov was originally set to challenge for Belal Muhammad’s gold in the main event, an infection forced the champion’s withdrawal. With that, the Kazakh standout will have to defend his top contender spot opposite a former training partner.

    Betting odds currently have “Nomad” a signifcant favorite to do so, with his line sitting at -375 on DraftKings. The man who had his matchup with Garry fall through as a result of the recent shuffle, however, sees the underdog having his hand raised.

    During an interview with MiddleEasy, Buckley provided his thoughts on Garry’s new bout with Rakhmonov, which spoiled “New Mansa’s” plan to become the first to defeat the Irishman a week later in the UFC Tampa headliner.

    In recent bouts, “The Future” has been criticized for grinding out decision wins with a technical and safe approach. And Buckley expects the Dubliner to employ that exact strategy en route to an upset at UFC 310.

    “A lot of people are not going to believe me, but I think Ian Garry is going to win – by the skin of his teeth, just like the rest of his wins that he had,” Buckley said. “Whether that’s with ‘MVP’ or with Geoff Neal. He does a good job of staying safe and surviving, and if you don’t have the feet to kind of hunt down guys like that, where they’re constantly moving and constantly evading, and you set up traps.

    “Obviously, you’re not going to be able to land those power shots. … If you get in the fire with Shavkat Rakhmonov, you’re going to get burned,” Buckley continued. “But I don’t see Ian Garry running into that burning house. He’s going to try to flee and evade the whole time, and I can see Ian Garry getting his hand raised by decision.”

    Garry will look to prove Buckley’s prediction correct come fight night versus Rakhmonov in “Sin City” this weekend — thought perhaps in a more emphatic and impressive faction than the American is envisioning.

    “New Mansa,” meanwhile, has a new target in his sights for Dec. 14 in Tampa.

    The #9-ranked contender will still have the opportunity to climb the ranks, as he looks to add to the woes of Colby Covington following his third failed bid for the undisputed crown last December.

  • VIDEO: UFC 310 Countdown Episode Ahead Of Pantoja vs. Asakura & Rakhmonov vs. Garry

    VIDEO: UFC 310 Countdown Episode Ahead Of Pantoja vs. Asakura & Rakhmonov vs. Garry

    Fight week for the UFC 310 pay-per-view this Saturday has kicked off with the release of the promotion’s latest Countdown episode.

    Under the spotlight in this edition is the headliner between Alexandre Pantoja and Kai Asakura and the co-main event between Shavkat Rakhmonov and Ian Garry.

    Saturday’s UFC 310 lineup is topped by a championship clash, with flyweight kingpin Pantoja (28-5) looking to add a third successful defense to his reign, which got underway with a memorable victory over Brandon Moreno at UFC 290 in July 2023.

    If “The Cannibal” is to continue his rule atop the 125-pound mountain, he must stall the title ambitions of a UFC newcomer in Asakura (21-4). The former Rizin bantamweight champ marks a rare example of a debuting fighter competing for gold inside the Octagon, which he’ll enter off the back of consecutive knockouts of Yuki Motoya and Juan Archuleta.

    Before those two collide in the main event at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena, the stakes will also be high for a crucial five-round welterweight clash.

    After an infection resulted in UFC Welterweight Champion Belal Muhammad’s withdrawal from his scheduled defense against Rakhmonov (18-0), some matchup shuffling has seen Garry (15-0) drafted in to face his fellow undefeated contender.

    While “Nomad” recently got the better of Stephen Thompson by way of submission, “The Future” outpointed Michael “Venom” Page during International Fight Week this past summer. They’ll now look to secure top contender status heading into 2025 to ensure they’ll be standing across from champ Muhammad following his recovery.

    Ahead of those two contests in “Sin City,” fans can catch previews in the full episode of UFC 310 Countdown on the promotion’s YouTube channel.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCRcpPPERSA
  • UFC Analyst References Training Footage To Break Down Rakhmonov vs. Garry

    UFC Analyst References Training Footage To Break Down Rakhmonov vs. Garry

    The co-main event of UFC 310 next month may be a replacement match-up but as far as a stand-in fights go, they don’t get much better than this one. One undefeated streak will come to an end in Las Vegas as Shavkat Rakhmonov faces Ian Machado Garry over five rounds.

    Though there isn’t an interim title on the line following Belal Muhammad’s withdrawal from the card like many expected there would be, both men know what is at stake in this top level clash in the welterweight division. In fact, the two competitors also know a bit about each other already due to the period of time where they were both training out of Kill Cliff FC in Florida.

    Following the fight announcement, a video of the opponents sparring some light rounds with one another went out on social media and though there wasn’t much to gain from this footage, it did show that both men have squared off in the past.

    As a result, UFC analyst and fellow welterweight contender Michael Chiesa believes that this familiarity will show in the fight. He spoke in a recent interview with Sportskeeda about his thoughts on the bout that will take place the same night as his return against Max Griffin.

    Chiesa believes that the element of surprise could decide this fight because of how skilled both fighters are as well as the element of already experiencing each other’s games first-hand.

    “I’ll keep it short. There’s some sparring footage that came out of Ian Garry and Shavkat. I think that they’re both gonna be very familiar with each other and I will go out on a limb and say I think this fight goes to a decision. I think these guys are familiar with each other enough to where they’re going to negate a few of the attacks and it’s going to be a matter of who can come in there and throw a new wrinkle into their game to throw off the opponent.”  

  • What’s Next After UFC 309? Full Confirmed UFC 310 Main Card For T-Mobile Arena On Dec. 7

    UFC 309 is in the books, meaning attention will soon turn to the mixed martial arts leader’s next pay-per-view offering, UFC 310 in Las Vegas.

    The promotion was in New York City last week, where the iconic Madison Square Garden played host to a number of intriguing matchups for its latest major card in “The Big Apple.” Of note were headline wins for Jon Jones and Charles Oliveira, as well as important victories for Bo Nickal, Viviane Araújo, and Mauricio Ruffy.

    While the aftermath of the Nov. 16 card is currently the talk of the town, it won’t be long until focus sways to the next PPV, and from the heavyweight title picture to the flyweight championship conversation.

    At UFC 310, set for the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Dec. 7, reigning kingpin Alexandre Pantoja will compete for the second time this year, once again in defense of his 125-pound gold. After following his crowning against Brandon Moreno with retentions opposite Brandon Royval and Steve Erceg, “The Cannibal” will next face a newcomer in the form of ex-Rizin champion Kai Asakura.

    Stakes will also be high in the co-headliner, as Shavkat Rakhmonov looks to defend his spot as next in line for a shot at Belal Muhammad following the welterweight titleholder’s withdrawal due to injury. The replacement fight will see “Nomad” face a fellow undefeated contender in Ireland’s Ian Garry.

    Gane, Mitchell, Landwehr Set The Stage For High-Profile Headliners At UFC 310

    Before Pantoja defends his belt and Rakhmonov meets the challenge of “The Future,” a number of other notable names will take to the Octagon looking to make the most of their position on the major UFC 310 card.

    That includes former interim heavyweight titleholder Ciryl Gane. Having not competed since knocking out Serghei Spivac in Paris last year, the Frenchman will return after 15 months to once again collide with Alexander Volkov. “Drago” finds himself with a chance for redemption against “Bon Gamin” after rising to #3 in the division courtesy of his triumph over Sergei Pavlovich in Saudi Arabia this past June.

    Prior to that, ranked featherweight Bryce Mitchell will also get his sole outing of 2024 and first fight since being brutally slept by Josh Emmett at last year’s final pay-per-view. To bounce back, “Thug Nasty” is tasked with defending his spot on the ladder opposite a fellow grappling specialist in Kron Gracie. The 36-year-old returned from a near-four-year layoff in May 2023 but disappointed in defeat versus Charles Jourdain. After another lengthy layoff, he’ll hope to record his first win since 2019 at the expense of Mitchell.

    And opening the UFC 310 main card will be a sure-fire firefight between Nate Landwehr and Dooho Choi. “The Train” will enter the event off the back of a KO victory over Jamall Emmers this past March, while “The Korean Superboy” — who sits as part of the UFC Hall of Fame Fight Wing owing to his 2016 war with Cub Swanson — rebounded from a four-fight winless run by stopping Bill Algeo in July for his first triumph in eight years.

    Those pairings have gotten the nod to feature on the main card over the crucial featherweight contest between the #5-ranked Movsar Evloev and former bantamweight champ Aljamain Sterling, which is currently slated to be the penultimate prelim.

    See below for the full UFC 310 card, as it stands.

    Main Card:

    • Flyweight Championship Main Event: Alexandre Pantoja (C) vs. Kai Asakura
    • Welterweight Co-Main Event: Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Ian Garry
    • Heavyweight: Ciryl Gane vs. Alexander Volkov
    • Featherweight: Bryce Mitchell vs. Kron Gracie
    • Featherweight: Nate Landwehr vs. Dooho Choi

    Preliminary Card:

    • Welterweight: Vicente Luque vs. Themba Gorimbo
    • Featherweight: Movsar Evloev vs. Aljamain Sterling
    • Light Heavyweight: Anthony Smith vs. Dominick Reyes
    • Welterweight: Randy Brown vs. Bryan Battle

    Early Preliminary Card:

    • Heavyweight: Tallison Teixeira vs. Łukasz Brzeski
    • Flyweight: Cody Durden vs. Joshua Van
    • Lightweight: Clay Guida vs. Chase Hooper
    • Welterweight: Michael Chiesa vs. Max Griffin
    • Heavyweight: Martin Buday vs. Rizvan Kuniev
    Aljamain Sterling
    Aljamain Sterling faces Movsar Evloev at UFC 310 (Image: UFC.com)
  • Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Ian Garry Official For UFC 310, Colby Covington Fills vs. Buckley

    Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Ian Garry Official For UFC 310, Colby Covington Fills vs. Buckley

    After a toe infection to Belal Muhammad forced the UFC welterweight champion out of UFC 310, the Dec. 7 card now has an answer to who will be headlining.

    Per an announcement from UFC CEO Dana White that dropped during Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson, intended title challenger Shavkat Rakhmonov will no longer be competing in the main event of UFC 310.

    Tha Kazakh star has instead been moved to the co-main event slot and will face fellow undefeated contender Ian Garry in a five-round, non-title fight.

    The UFC flyweight championship match between champion Alexandre Pantoja and his latest challenger, debutant Kai Asakura, has been promoted to the new UFC 310 main event.

    Furthermore, as a result of Garry competing at UFC 310, Colby Covington will be filling in for him in the UFC Tampa main event on Dec. 14 against the Irishman’s originally booked opponent, Joaquin Buckley.

    Garry Replaces Muhammad In UFC 310 Bout vs. Rakhmonov, Pantoja vs. Asakura Promoted To Main Event

    Rakhmonov became next in line for the welterweight title after his finish of Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson, as well as Muhammad’s title win against Leon Edwards at UFC 304. But “Nomad” will now have to put his shot on the line in a matchup with Garry.

    The Irish rising star has fought twice in 2024, earning decision wins over Geoff Neal in February and Michael “Venom” Page four months later.

    Garry and Covington, meanwhile, had been linked to face one another over the course of the last year due to intense hatred between the two seen across social media. “Chaos,” however, has previously stated that he does not feel “The Future” deserves a fight with him.

    Covington is also on the outside looking in of the welterweight title picture, having not fought since his own disappointing outing against Edwards at UFC 296 last year.

    Buckley, on the other hand, has won five straight, most recently knocking out “Wonderboy” at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City just last month.

  • Kamaru Usman Eliminates Himself As An Option For Shavkat Rakhmonov At UFC 310

    Kamaru Usman Eliminates Himself As An Option For Shavkat Rakhmonov At UFC 310

    When Belal Muhammed announced that he had withdrawn from the first defense of his welterweight title at UFC 310, a lot of fight fans quickly came to the same conclusion. In the hopes of keeping Shavkat Rakhmonov on the card, a replacement opponent would need to be found for what would likely be an interim title fight.

    Rakhmonov pushed for this and like many people online, he wanted to face the former champion of the division in Kamaru Usman. “The Nigerian Nightmare” may be winless in his last three but his reign as the welterweight champion still gives him lots of pedigree at 170-pounds.

    The fight got everyone excited for December 7 but it unfortunately doesn’t look like we will get to see this match-up take place in Las Vegas. Usman spoke about the fight during a recent episode of his Pound 4 Pound podcast alongside Henry Cejudo.

    He said that fighting the undefeated Rakhmonov is something that greatly interests him but without giving away any clear reason why, he said that stepping inside the Octagon in just a few weeks doesn’t look like it’ll be an option for him. This leaves very few options for potential replacements meaning that the UFC’s final PPV card of 2024 could be down to one title fight as Alexandre Pantoja defends his flyweight belt against the debuting Kai Asakura.

    “To be honest, it’s a fight that I’ve looked at and it’s definitely a very, very winnable fight and I know that I can, of all people, go out there and expose what hasn’t been exposed in a young, hungry, streaky guy in Shavkat Rakhmonov. He’s very talented, he’s very good but I do see the holes and I think that I can exploit that when that time is right but December 7 might be a little too early for that time.”

  • Kamaru Usman Discusses Fighting Shavkat Rakhmonov On Short Notice At UFC 310: ‘The UFC Knows Who To Call’

    Kamaru Usman Discusses Fighting Shavkat Rakhmonov On Short Notice At UFC 310: ‘The UFC Knows Who To Call’

    Kamaru Usman seems ready to step up on short notice to face Shavkat Rakhmonov and keep the UFC 310 main event intact.

    The headliner for the final UFC pay-per-view event between reigning welterweight champion Belal Muhammad and Rakhmonov was called off last month after “Remember the Name” disclosed he had to pull out due to a bone infection in his foot.

    Since then, “Nomad” has voiced his desire to remain on the card, even campaigning for an interim title showdown, ideally against former longtime champion Usman. Rakhmonov’s manager, Sayat Abdrakhmanov, confirmed that the UFC is currently in talks and has proposed “The Nigerian Nightmare” as a possible opponent for the matchup.

    During a recent episode of the Pound 4 Pound podcast, Usman discussed the possibility of stepping in on just a month’s notice to face Rakhmonov at UFC 310. He stated that the UFC would reach out to a fighter primed to challenge the undefeated Kazakhstani, and should the promotion come calling, he would unquestionably accept.

    “I’m still in that gym, you know,” Usman said. “If the UFC is going to call who they think is going to be legit tough enough and man enough to step in there on this crazy enough to step in there on short notice and go out there and possibly shock the world, definitely the UFC knows who to call when that situation happens. And if they do give me a call, I’m going to answer the call. We get a couple of things straight, and if we have to do it, I don’t shy away from any of that.”

    “The Nigerian Nightmare” is no stranger to stepping in on short notice to face undefeated fighters. Usman took on the challenge of fighting Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 in October 2023 with less than two weeks’ notice, ultimately suffering a majority decision loss.

    Usman is currently enduring the most challenging phase of his career, having lost his 170-pound title to Leon Edwards at UFC 278 in August 2022. Since then, he has gone 0-2 in his last two Octagon appearances.

  • Colby Covington Claims He Offered To Fight Shavkat Rakhmonov At UFC 310: ‘They Can Call Me On A Week’s Notice’ 

    Colby Covington Claims He Offered To Fight Shavkat Rakhmonov At UFC 310: ‘They Can Call Me On A Week’s Notice’ 

    UFC welterweight contender Colby Covington has claimed to have thrown his name in the hat to face the undefeated Shavkat Rakhmonov on short notice next month.

    Mixed martial arts’ leading promotion is scrambling for a new main event to close out its pay-per-view schedule for 2024. That’s after the withdrawal of UFC Welterweight Champion Belal Muhammad from the Las Vegas-held UFC 310 on Dec. 7.

    “Remember the Name” was scheduled to put his 170-pound belt on the line for the first time opposite Rakhmonov, but a severe bone infection has forced him out.

    Since then, “Nomad” has outlined his hopes to remain on next month’s numbered card in competition for interim gold. Among the possible opponents, the Kazakh has specifically pointed to Kamaru Usman as the most likely.

    And according to a man who knows “The Nigerian Nightmare” well, those plans are firmly in motion, and have even stopped him from stepping up to the plate.

    During a recent appearance on Submission Radio, Covington addressed his absence from the Octagon and suggested a comeback in the first quarter of 2025 is likely.

    He did, however, claim that fans could have seen him extremely soon had the UFC accepted his apparent offer to save the day at UFC 310.

    “I offered (to replace Muhammad). I told the UFC that I was willing to step up to the plate. … They know they can call me on a week’s notice and I’m stepping up to the plate,” Covington said. “I would love to save the show and put on a good show for the fans. They pay their hard-earned money for big mega fights, they need a mega fight, that’s not a mega fight. They need someone who is going to put asses in seats and entertain people. So, I was excited. I wanted the fight and I asked for it but I think they have other plans.”

    And had that come to fruition, “Chaos” doesn’t think he’d have had much trouble dispatching of Rakhmonov — something he expects to prove down the line.

    “I can walk him down and pressure him and he’s not going to like my pressure. He doesn’t do very well with southpaws,” Covington explained. “We saw how he did with the busboy Geoff Neal. That was a very competitive fight. He hasn’t fought a top contender yet. He has fought some gatekeepers of the division, some guys on the cusp of the top 10. But he’s never fought a champion like me and a guy who’s going to come at him for five straight rounds and just walk him down.

    “I match up well, he stands very tall. I don’t see anything special with him. He has some good submissions, he’s slick, but that’s when he can control the wrestling. He’s not going to control the wrestling on me,” Covington continued. “I think I can beat him pretty easily and I think it’s a favorable fight, and it’s a fight I win in the future whether he wins or loses in December.”

    Whether or not his claim is true has been quickly debated in the MMA community, with many suggesting that he’s simply capitalizing on an opportunity knowing that different plans are already in the works for Rakhmonov.

    Either way, the American is seemingly eyeing a 2025 return. During the same interview, he put his absence this year down to his work on the campaign trail prior to Donald Trump’s victory in the US presidential election this week.

  • UFC Vet Pushes Back On Shavkat Rakhmonov’s Interim Talk: ‘Belal Has The F*cking Title’

    UFC Vet Pushes Back On Shavkat Rakhmonov’s Interim Talk: ‘Belal Has The F*cking Title’

    Shavkat Rakhmonov is campaigning for an interim title fight after Belal Muhammad withdrew from their scheduled UFC 310 clash, but a UFC veteran has a contrasting viewpoint.

    Rakhmonov was slated to challenge reigning welterweight champion Muhammad in the headline fight of the final UFC pay-per-view event of 2024, set for Dec. 7 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

    However, just last week, “Remember the Name” revealed that he had been forced to withdraw from the bout due to a bone infection in his foot.

    In light of this regrettable circumstance, Rakhmonov recently turned to social media to advocate for an interim title fight, proposing former champion Kamaru Usman as the ideal opponent to rescue the UFC 310 main event.

    While the prospect of an interim title fight has sparked considerable intrigue within a significant portion of the MMA community, Muhammad was quick to dismiss the idea. Having only claimed the welterweight title four months ago, he believes an interim title would be premature — and Matt Brown shares the same sentiment.

    During a recent episode of The Fighter vs. The Writer podcast (via MMA Fighting), “The Immortal” recognized the necessity of addressing the void created by Muhammad’s absence but firmly expressed that, from his perspective, an interim title is unnecessary at this juncture.

    “I think we all know at least it’s not a title,” Brown said. “Belal has the f**king title. He’ll be back soon. He’s going to fight the winner. This is a title contender match. Great. It’s a great fight. I’m stoked to see the fight. I’m just as stoked to see Shavkat and Usman as I would be for Shavkat and Belal, except it would be for the actual title with Belal.

    “They usually do that because they need to sell the pay-per-view and put a title on it, right? I feel Usman would be selling PPVs. We all know who Usman is. We all want to watch Usman fight. I don’t think putting a title in front of that fight really changes the dynamic of that fight,” Brown continued. “I get why they would do it, and I understand the logic behind it and maybe it makes it a bigger fight, but I don’t see why you can’t keep it five rounds and just say it’s not for the title. … Unfortunately, it kind of diminishes what an interim title is.”

    “Remember the Name” secured the welterweight title with a commanding unanimous decision victory over Leon Edwards at UFC 304 in July. Muhammad is now riding an impressive 11-fight unbeaten streak.

    Meanwhile, Rakhmonov is fresh off a second-round submission victory over Stephen Thompson at UFC 296 in December 2023. “Nomad” has yet to taste defeat in his professional career, boasting a flawless 6-0 record inside the Octagon.

  • Shavkat Rakhmonov Rejects Ian Garry’s Confidence About Future Fight: ‘Same Thing’s Going To Happen That’s Happened In Training’

    Shavkat Rakhmonov Rejects Ian Garry’s Confidence About Future Fight: ‘Same Thing’s Going To Happen That’s Happened In Training’

    Top UFC welterweight contender Shavkat Rakhmonov has dismissed the self-belief Ian Garry has when it comes to their likely fight down the line.

    When it comes to undefeated prospects rising the ranks on MMA’s biggest stage, the 170-pound division has boasted two of the most prominent and highly touted in recent years — former M-1 Global champion Rakhmonov and ex-Cage Warriors titleholder Garry.

    The pair both find themselves inside the top 10, with Rakhmonov being the first to earn a shot at gold. That was set to come in the main event of UFC 310 next month, but his challenge against Belal Muhammad will have to wait after the champ withdrew through injury.

    With the Kazakh campaigning to face a fellow contender for interim gold on Dec. 7, Garry has thrown his name into the hat, coming as his latest confident callout of Rakhmonov in recent times.

    “Nomad,” however, unsurprisingly thinks that self-belief is misplaced.

    During an appearance on Monday’s episode of The Ariel Helwani Show on Uncrowned, Rakhmonov noted Garry’s frequent callouts, seemingly questioning the Irishman’s confidence given how the Kazakh recalls their training sessions at Kill Cliff FC playing out.

    “I’m ready if it’s going to be (Garry) after he wins his fight,” Rakhmonov said. “If it’s a date that’s good for both of us, we can do it, you know? If he wants to try and take my 0, he can try, but I know the same thing’s going to happen that’s happened in training. I’m just going to keep it the same way and I’m pretty confident that I’m going to beat him.

    “It’s just training. I don’t want to praise myself too much, but I felt comfortable whether its striking or ground. I felt comfortable and in control. So, I’m pretty confident in this matchup.”

    For now, it appears results will have to go a certain way on both sides for their paths to cross.

    While Garry gears up to defend his spot opposite Joaquin Buckley in Tampa, Florida next month, Rakhmonov is campaigning for an interim welterweight title clash against former champ Kamaru Usman.

    Whether or not that comes to fruition remains to be seen, but it would appear that a “Nomad” vs. “The Future” clash is not out of the realms of possibility for 2025.

  • Former UFC Champ Argues Leon Edwards Should Fight Shavkat Rakhmonov At UFC 310: ‘Rematch Against Belal Muhammad…’

    Former UFC Champ Argues Leon Edwards Should Fight Shavkat Rakhmonov At UFC 310: ‘Rematch Against Belal Muhammad…’

    UFC 310 no longer boasts two title fights as Belal Muhammad has pulled out of the main event because of a toe injury. While some fans want the newly crowned champion to be stripped for inactivity already, others are more concerned with finding a new opponent for Shavkat Rakhmonov.

    Several contenders in the UFC welterweight division could benefit by stepping in and winning on UFC 310. Former champs Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman would want to re-enter the title race by beating a top prospect. On the other hand, fresh talents like Ian Garry, Sean Brady, and Jack Della Maddalena should be interested in securing their first title shots.

    While discussing how UFC 310 should be dealt with, Michael Bisping pointed out that replacing Muhammad could help Edwards get his rematch quickly. “Rocky” gave the new champ his props after losing the welterweight belt at UFC 304 but also admitted to feeling fatigued due to the unusual timing.

    Here’s why Bisping expects Edwards to take a risk by fighting Rakhmonov at UFC 310:

    “For Leon Edwards, this does everything. You beat Shavkat Rakhmonov, you are the man. You step up, you are the man. You beat this man that’s finishing everybody. What does that do for you? Well, then you’re right back in the title conversation. In fact, you will be probably getting a rematch against Belal Muhammad.” He continued, “He wants to get his hands on Belal Muhammad once again. He wants to right the wrongs, he wants to prove to the world and himself that he’s the better man. But more importantly, to get back to becoming the welterweight champion of the world.”

    Edwards holds two wins over Usman, and “The Count” claims beating an intimidating opponent with a 100% finish rate would be another feather in his cap. Additionally, a rematch with Muhammad in the United States would ensure he gets a chance to avenge his loss and fight at a more favorable time.

    The former UFC champ understands that losing to “Nomad” is a huge risk for the English fighter as it would further extend his path back to the title. However, he thinks that the rewards outweigh the risks in this situation.

    Bisping lastly called UFC 310 a great card regardless of the main event falling out. Like countless other fans, though, wouldn’t mind seeing the undefeated Rakhmonov put to the test again.

  • Shavkat Rakhmonov Doubts Belal Muhammad Had To Withdraw From UFC 310: ‘I Think He Was Able’ 

    Shavkat Rakhmonov Doubts Belal Muhammad Had To Withdraw From UFC 310: ‘I Think He Was Able’ 

    Top UFC welterweight contender Shavkat Rakhmonov believes champion Belal Muhammad could have made their planned fight date if he really wanted to.

    Rakhmonov entered November with a first shot at title glory on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage in the calendar. The undefeated “Nomad” was booked in as the first challenger in the reign of Muhammad, which got underway with a dominant display opposite Leon Edwards this past July.

    But their UFC 310 main event is no more following an injury to the champ, who revealed this past weekend that he had been hospitalized with a gruesome bone infection that will prevent him from training for the next six weeks.

    With that, the Dec. 7 headline spot is in limbo, as is Rakhmonov’s place on the lineup for the promotion’s final pay-per-view of the year.

    But the Kazakh contender evidently doesn’t believe this difficult scenario had to come to fruition.

    During Monday’s episode of The Ariel Helwani Show on Uncrowned, Rakhmonov addressed the current situation, questioning if Muhammad really did have to withdraw.

    “I think he was able to fight on Dec. 7, but he wasn’t sure and is being extra careful,” Rakhmonov said. “I was just envisioning myself getting the win and it doesn’t matter how or which way. Belal is a good opponent, but I believe I can work with him in any field. I can counter him, I can pressure him, I just only see my (hand) getting raised in a fight against him.

    “I don’t believe it’s going to be six weeks (to recover), to be honest. I believe Jack Della (had) the same problem with infection and he’s still not back. It can take a while,” Rakhmonov continued. “Belal doesn’t need to be greedy. If I become interim champ, he’s still going to have a belt too.”

    Nevertheless, should he capture an interim title in Muhammad’s absence, Rakhmonov believes that will only make his eventual showdown with “Remember the Name” even bigger in 2025.

    “It’s good for Belal, too. It’s only going to make the fight bigger,” Rakhmonov stated. “Champ vs. champ whenever Belal is ready. Obviously, after I secure the interim title, I’m going to fight him. First quarter of next year I believe is already scheduled and taken so he cannot come back soon, anyway.”

    “Nomad” appeared more sympathetic toward his division’s champ soon after news of his injury emerged, taking to social media to wish Muhammad well in his recovery.

    The Kazakh fighter can likely now expect some backlash from Muhammad after questioning the serious nature of his bone infection.

  • Shavkat Rakhmonov Wants To Fight Kamaru Usman For Interim Title At UFC 310

    Shavkat Rakhmonov Wants To Fight Kamaru Usman For Interim Title At UFC 310

    Shavkat Rakhmonov is determined to stay on the UFC 310 card and has floated the idea of an interim title fight against Kamaru Usman. Rakhmonov was initially set to headline UFC 310 in a welterweight title bout against Belal Muhammad, but the reigning champion withdrew due to injury.

    Speaking with Ariel Helwani, Rakhmonov’s manager confirmed that negotiations are underway to keep Rakhmonov on the UFC 310 lineup, potentially in an interim title fight. The manager mentioned that Usman has reportedly been offered the fight, as he’s seen as the most logical replacement.

    Rakhmonov himself expressed readiness to step in, saying, “I believe there is a worthy opponent available. I’m ready to save the card, too, if it’s for the interim title. I believe Usman is the worthy opponent who’s also probably ready to jump in and face him.”

    Rakhmonov, who boasts an 18-0 record, is coming off a submission victory over Stephen Thompson last December and has won all his UFC fights by stoppage. Usman, on the other hand, is currently on a three-fight losing streak, most recently dropping a majority decision to Robert Whittaker in a middleweight contest on short notice. Before that, he suffered two consecutive losses to Leon Edwards.

  • Belal Muhammad Out Of Shavkat Rakhmonov Title Fight At UFC 310

    Belal Muhammad Out Of Shavkat Rakhmonov Title Fight At UFC 310

    UFC Welterweight Champion Belal Muhammad is reportedly out of his scheduled title defense against Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310.

    Muhammad completed his ascent to the mountaintop at 170 pounds this past July in Manchester, England, where he upset the odds to get the better of Leon Edwards across five rounds in their rematch.

    Eager to be active and face the toughest tests available to him, “Remember the Name” welcomed the challenge of undefeated phenom Rakhmonov. The promotion obliged, booking the pair to headline the UFC 310 pay-per-view in Las Vegas on Dec. 7.

    On Wednesday, however, rumors began to circulate of a possible cancellation. Australian MMA insider @Bendaman2001 — who broke news of Khamzat Chimaev’s withdrawal from the Saudi Arabia UFC Fight Night this past June — was the first to suggest an issue with the UFC 310 headliner.

    A more definitive report later came from longtime MMA media figure Al Zullino, who noted that the UFC is actively searching for a replacement fight to headline the final numbered card of 2024.

    Should this news be confirmed, it’ll mark a setback in Rakhmonov’s title ambitions. The Kazakh fighter earned his opportunity with a 6-0 run since signing with the UFC back in 2020 off the back of championship success in M-1 Global.

    It remains to be seen whether “Nomad” will remain on the UFC 310 card and face another top contender or patiently await a rescheduled clash with Muhammad in 2025.

    This marks the latest blow to the Dec. 7 event, which already lost a crucial strawweight clash between the highly regarded Tatiana Suarez and Virna Jandiroba.

    The lineup does still boast a title fight, though, with flyweight kingpin Alexandre Pantoja set to welcome former Rizin champ Kai Asakura to the UFC in defense of his gold.

  • Belal Muhammad Claims Competitive Edge Over Shavkat Rakhmonov

    Belal Muhammad Claims Competitive Edge Over Shavkat Rakhmonov

    Belal Muhammad recently weighed in on why he believes he has the upper hand against Shavkat Rakhmonov in their upcoming clash.

    Muhammad is poised to defend his welterweight title against Rakhmonov in the main event of UFC 310, scheduled for December 7 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

    “Remember the Name” is riding a wave of confidence after decisively dethroning former champion Leon Edwards with a unanimous decision victory at UFC 304 in July. In a bold move, he chose “Nomad,” who is regarded as one of the most daunting competitors in the 170-pound division, as his opponent for his first title defense.

    Despite his impressive 11-fight unbeaten streak and championship status, Muhammad opened up as a significant underdog against Rakhmonov on the betting line. However, the 36-year-old Chicago native believes that Rakhmonov has yet to face a fighter quite like him.

    During a recent interview with Submission Radio, “Remember the Name” acknowledged Rakhmonov’s ascent through the ranks but confidently asserted that he is far tougher. Muhammad emphasized that he plans to apply unprecedented pressure and test Rakhmonov’s limits, pushing him to his breaking point.

    “But I think that the difference between me and everybody he’s faced is I’m not gonna go in there intimidated,” Muhammad said. “I’ve fought in every style; I’ve fought everybody — the best of the best. I’ve been with the biggest names, and for myself, I’ve gotten over all those humps. He hasn’t gotten over that hump yet. A lot of the guys he’s fought go in there intimidated, already seeing him, and you can just see in a lot of these guys they’ll just fall or they’ll break right away for him.

    “Now you’re going against somebody that’s tougher; you’re going against somebody that’s not gonna fall; you’re going against somebody that’s gonna stand right there in front of your face the whole time. Then what do you do? How do you react? He hasn’t had to face that type of fighter in the UFC yet; he hasn’t had those types of wars yet.”

    “Nomad” remains unbeaten in his professional career, boasting an impressive 100 percent finish rate. With a UFC record of 6-0, he is riding a wave of momentum after securing a second-round submission victory against former title challenger Stephen Thompson at UFC 296 in December 2023.

  • Top 10 Welterweight Says Belal Muhammad’s Mindset, Preparation Key To Beating Rakhmonov

    Top 10 Welterweight Says Belal Muhammad’s Mindset, Preparation Key To Beating Rakhmonov

    Belal Muhammad is set to return at UFC 310 where he will put his welterweight title on the line for the first time against Shavkat Rakhmonov. The undefeated contender comes into December 7 as the favorite despite the champion’s own impressive winning streak.

    Rakhmonov’s ability to finish opponents is simply remarkable, with all 18 of his pro wins coming inside the distance. This, in a lot of people’s eyes, makes it an uphill battle for Muhammad who is not known for closing the show early.

    Where the champion excels in his approach and relentless drive to break opponents with his constant pressure and gas tank. His preparation and strategy is where a top welterweight contender believes this fight becomes competitive.

    Joaquin Buckley Says That Belal Muhammad’s Approach Is What Makes Him Competitive With Shavkat Rakhmonov

    In a recent interview with Luke Thomas, Joaquin Buckley gave his thoughts on the upcoming title fight in his division. The #9-ranked welterweight contender is coming off of a devastating finish over Stephen Thompson and could find himself in title talks with one more big win.

    Buckley said in his opinion, this fight is interesting because you know that Muhammad is going to come into Las Vegas with extensive homework and adjustments. “New Mansa” believes that this is at odds with the confidence of Rakhmonov who is not going to have the same approach of analyzing every detail.

    Muhammad’s ability to adapt to different opponents and choose the best path to victory is where Buckley feels that the champion has an advantage.

    “I think it’s a good fight and it’s only going to be a good fight because the way that Belal comes. Every time when he sets himself to fight an opponent, he prepares himself in the right way. Shavkat, I believe that he’s just the type of fighter that he believes just his talents and his gifts is going to take him as far as it’s been taking him now where he’s been finishing everybody.

    I don’t believe that Shavkat, in my personal opinion, is doing any film study on Belal or how he gonna beat him. Shavkat believes just in his head that him stepping in the cage with Belal is going to be good enough but I don’t think it’s going to be the other way around with Belal.

    I believe Belal is going to try to see what is going to be his best opportunities to take the fight where he needs to in order to get the decision.”

  • ‘Super Disrespectful To Belal’ – Fans React To Shavkat Rakhmonov Being Heavy Favorite To Win Gold At UFC 310

    ‘Super Disrespectful To Belal’ – Fans React To Shavkat Rakhmonov Being Heavy Favorite To Win Gold At UFC 310

    UFC Welterweight Champion Belal Muhammad will seemingly have to spring an upset if he’s to stall Shavkat Rakhmonov’s title ambitions.

    The schedule for the last quarter of 2024 is beginning to be finalized, and UFC CEO Dana White recently took to social media to reveal two championship headliners for the final pay-per-view of the year, UFC 310 on Dec. 7.

    Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena will play host as both the welterweight and flyweight belts get put on the line. And in regard to the former, Muhammad will be making his very first defense five months on from a dominant display to win the crown in Manchester.

    If he’s to begin his ascent to a place in the divisional GOAT discussion, Muhammad must first retain the belt at the expense of an undefeated phenom in Rakhmonov.

    “Remember the Name” has long been counted out, and his emphatic performance to unseat Leon Edwards from the throne has seemingly done little to alter his status as a perennial underdog.

    Fans React To UFC 310 Odds As Muhammad Gets Underdog Status vs. Rakhmonov

    Prior to confirmation of their fight later this year, Rakhmonov opened as a -265 favorite on BetOnline.ag to make +225 underdog Muhammad’s reign a quick one.

    Fight fans reacted to those odds — which have since shifted to -205 on the challenger’s side and +175 for the champ — after the bout was announced as the UFC 310 headliner this past weekend.

    Many expressed surprise at Muhammad’s line, with some branding it “disrespectful” and others questioning when the market will “learn.”

  • UFC Matchmaking Bulletin: Neil Magny vs. Carlos Prates Headlines UFC Vegas 100

    UFC Matchmaking Bulletin: Neil Magny vs. Carlos Prates Headlines UFC Vegas 100

    MMA News has you covered with this week’s UFC matchmaking bulletin, featuring all the additions to upcoming cards.

    With UFC events being held most weekends, Mick Maynard and Sean Shelby have their matchmaking work cut out if they’re to fill them, meaning new bouts are confirmed each and every week.

    Between Monday, October 7, and Sunday, October 13, a couple of notable fights were made official by the UFC or reported by reputable sources. For more information on those matchups, check out the links below:

    A number of lower-profile matchups also came together. For those, check out this week’s quick hits:

    But it wasn’t all positive, with two fights being adjusted. For those, see below:

  • Belal Muhammad vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov Set For UFC 310 Main Event, Pantoja Defense Co-headlines

    Belal Muhammad vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov Set For UFC 310 Main Event, Pantoja Defense Co-headlines

    The UFC will close out its pay-per-view schedule for 2024 with two major championship fights in Las Vegas on December 7.

    With the final quarter of this year well underway, mixed martial arts’ leading promotion is beginning to fill the remaining slots on its fight schedule. And in two of the most prominent ones now sit reigning titleholders.

    UFC CEO Dana White took to social media on Saturday to announce the headline bouts for UFC 310, the promotion’s final PPV of the year.

    Closing out 2024 in style, a highly anticipated welterweight title fight between newly crowned champion Belal Muhammad (24-3, 1 NC) and undefeated challenger Shavkat Rakhmonov (18-0) will top the lineup inside Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena.

    There will also be title stakes in the co-headliner, as flyweight kingpin Alexandre Pantoja (28-5) returns for his second defense of the year and third overall. Having turned away the threats posed by Brandon Royval and Steve Erceg, “The Cannibal” will next share the cage with a newcomer in former Rizin champ Kai Asakura (21-4).

    Muhammad captured the 170-pound gold in enemy territory this past July, beating Leon Edwards in dominant fashion to extend his unbeaten run to 11 straight fights. Rakhmonov, meanwhile, has won all six of his Octagon outings to date, submitting both Geoff Neal and Stephen Thompson in his most recent fights.

    Pantoja is deeper into his reign on the throne at 125 pounds, having held the crown since a memorable win over Brandon Moreno in the summer of 2023. After a scare against Australia’s Erceg in Rio de Janeiro earlier this year, the Brazilian will look to increase his grip on the title against a highly regarded debutant in Japan’s Asakura.

    White also confirmed that Ciryl Gane vs. Alexander Volkov and Vicente Luque vs. Nick Diaz — matchups postponed from cards in October and August, respectively — have been rescheduled for the same event.

    With these additions, the current fights expected to take place at UFC 310 on Dec. 7 are as follows:

    • Belal Muhammad (C) vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov (welterweight championship main event)
    • Alexandre Pantoja (C) vs. Kai Asakura (flyweight championship co-main event)
    • Ciryl Gane vs. Alexander Volkov (heavyweight)
    • Movsar Evloev vs. Aljamain Sterling (featherweight)
    • Vicente Luque vs. Nick Diaz (welterweight)
    • Tatiana Suarez vs. Virna Jandiroba (women’s strawweight)
    • Anthony Smith vs. Dominick Reyes (light heavyweight)
    • Michael Chiesa vs. Max Griffin (welterweight)
    • Clay Guida vs. Chase Hooper (lightweight)
    • Cody Durden vs. Joshua Van (flyweight)