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Shavkat Rakhmonov passed his most recent test in flying colors after finishing Geoff Neal in the third round of their action-packed encounter at UFC 285. The Kazakh phenom secured a standing rear-naked choke that forced 'Handz of Steel' to collapse in an unconscious heap.
Not only does the win mean he remains undefeated, but it also maintains his 100% finishing record inside the octagon. He is potentially just one win away from earning a title fight. The only obstacle standing in his path is perennial contender Belal Muhammad, whose own title hopes have been dashed yet again.
The Palestinian-American is currently at the helm of an eight-fight unbeaten streak, but has frequently been passed over for title shots. With 'The Nomad' now tasked with facing him on an undetermined date, it might be possible that the UFC would rather have him emerge victorious over 'Remember the Name'.
#5. Belal Muhammad simply isn't entertaining inside or outside the cage
The unfortunate truth behind how the UFC has evolved is that it's no longer a pure meritocracy. Being at the helm of a lengthy win streak is no longer enough to warrant a title shot. Reigning welterweight titleholder Leon Edwards was on a 11-fight unbeaten streak prior to receiving his long-awaited title fight.
Meanwhile, other fighters received title shots without having to embark on long unbeaten stretches. The unspoken reasoning behind it is likely due to the lack of entertainment value that 'Rocky' brought. The same predicament is almost definitely the case with Belal Muhammad.
The Palestinian-American does not engage in trash talk nor does he have an entertaining personality or unique social media presence to draw fan interest. Worse still, 'Remember the Name' doesn't have an entertaining style, with only one finish in his last nine fights.
Thus, he is unlikely to be someone the UFC wants near the title.
#4. Shavkat Rakhmonov is an exciting fighter
Finishers aren't necessarily a rare breed in the UFC. However, fighters who are equally skilled in grappling and striking aren't common. Most fighters are elite in one area while being serviceable in the other. Rarely are there mixed martial artists who are exceptionally skilled in all facets of combat.
Shavkat Rakhmonov is one such fighter. Not only is he undefeated, which creates an element of intrigue in all of his fights due to fans wanting to see just how high his ceiling is, but he has also secured a finish in every single one of his fights. Thus far in his career, he has managed eight knockouts and 9 submissions.
Whether his matchups remain kickboxing affairs or grappling-heavy contests, he is well-equipped to defeat any foe in exciting fashion. He defeated Geoff Neal with a standing rear-naked choke and previously flattened Carlston Harris with a spinning heel kick.
#3. Belal Muhammad is not afraid to challenge the UFC
If there's one thing that the UFC hates, it's fighters who dare to challenge them. The organization's president, Dana White, often goes out of his way to publicly smear any fighter who opposes them. The public enmity between the promotion and many of its former fighters is well-documented.
Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou was recently described as someone who would never be welcomed back into the promotion. Belal Muhammad is cut from a similar cloth as he was not afraid to voice his displeasure over the UFC's decision to award Colby Covington a welterweight title shot.
He labeled 'Chaos' a coward due to his decision to avoid matchups with top-ranked 170'ers. However, alleging that the reason he—like Leon Edwards before him—has been passed over for a title shot is racism will certainly catch the UFC's attention. Fighters who don't fall in line are rarely rewarded.
If 'Remember the Name' tries to sit out and wait for a title shot, he'll encounter even greater resistance due to White's dislike of fighters who do so.
#2. Shavkat Rakhmonov is young
Belal Muhammad is a few months away from his 35th birthday. Thus, he is arguably closer to his decline than he is to his prime. If he defeats Shavkat Rakhmonov and subsequently manages to dethrone the winner of the planned Leon Edwards-Colby Covington bout, he's unlikely to be a longterm champion.
Meanwhile, 'The Nomad' is fairly young. He is only 28 and has several years of elite competition ahead of him. If there's anyone the UFC will want as a champion between him and Belal Muhammad, it's likely to be Shavkat Rakhmonov. Not only does youth mean he has more overall time as a fighter, it also has other benefits.
Injuries are a part of life as a mixed martial artist. Recovering from injuries has strong implications regarding time and how fighters look upon their return. Due to his youth, Shavkat Rakhmonov could potentially recover from injuries quicker, making him a more reliable choice than a fighter in their mid-thirties.
#1. Shavkat Rakhmonov has more promotional potential
While Belal Muhammad is a highly skilled mixed martial artist, he isn't a fighter that anyone is clamoring to see in a superfight. The 34-year old is a decent-sized welterweight who no one hopes to one day see fight in the middleweight division. Shavkat Rakhmonov, however, is a different beast entirely.
First, he is a massive welterweight who wouldn't be outsized at middleweight. If he manages to capture the 170 lbs title, and Khamzat Chimaev captures the middleweight crown, then a superfight between the two undefeated phenoms would be the natural course of action.
Secondly, Shavkat Rakhmonov has already made history as the first UFC fighter from Kazakhstan. If he manages to become the first UFC champion from his nation, he'll potentially open the door for a new market that the promotion can explore.
Just as Georges St-Pierre once served as a funnel into the Canadian market, the Kazakh phenom can do the same for Kazakhstan and draw many of his countrymen into the UFC. But in order to do so, he must first beat Belal Muhammad.
