Dec 16, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Shavkat Rakhmonov (red gloves) reacts after defeating Stephen Thompson (blue gloves) during UFC 296 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

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Shavkat Rakhmonov Drops Bold Take On Jack Della Maddalena’s UFC 315 Win Over Belal Muhammad

Shavkat Rakhmonov gives his flowers to Jack Della Maddalena after a stunning performance against Belal Muhammad!

The welterweight division is filled with killers at every ranking spot and has produced some of the sport’s most memorable champions and rivalries. This past weekend at UFC 315 in Montreal, fans witnessed yet another chapter in the division’s storied history when Jack Della Maddalena dethroned Belal Muhammad in a surprising unanimous decision victory. But lurking in the background of this championship shakeup is the division’s boogeyman, the undefeated Shavkat Rakhmonov.

Rakhmonov was originally supposed to be the one challenging Muhammad. The undefeated Kazakh fighter had earned his shot at gold after dismantling top contender Ian Machado Garry last December, pushing his perfect professional record to 19-0. But an injury forced ‘Nomad’ to decline the title opportunity, opening the door for Della Maddalena to step in. Now, with the division reshuffled and new matchups brewing, Rakhmonov has shared his thoughts on the situation.

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Shavkat Rakhmonov Congratulates Jack Della Maddalena, Fires A Warning Shot As Well

Shavkat Rakhmonov kept it classy when addressing the new champion. He showed respect for Della Maddalena’s accomplishment. But respect only goes so far in the fight game. Rakhmonov quickly added a warning shot as well.

“Congratulations to JDM. It was great performance after long layover and injuries. You know I’m the real challenge at 170. Sooner or later my time will come”

Congratulations to JDM. It was great performance after long layover and injuries. You know I’m the real challenge at 170. Sooner or later my time will come
— Shavkat “Nomad” Rakhmonov (@Rakhmonov1994) May 11, 2025

The statement carries extra weight coming from a fighter who has finished all 18 of his 19 professional opponents. This is a feat almost unheard of at the elite level. The timing of Rakhmonov’s message couldn’t be more interesting. With lightweight champion Islam Makhachev reportedly eyeing a move up to welterweight for a champion vs. champion superfight with Della Maddalena, Rakhmonov seems determined not to be forgotten during his injury layoff.

Rakhmonov’s confidence isn’t just talk. The Kazakh fighter has been nothing short of sensational in the UFC. Unlike many fighters who talk a big game, Rakhmonov lets his performances do most of the talking.

The welterweight division now finds itself in a fascinating holding pattern. If Della Maddalena does face Makhachev next, the other contenders will need to sort themselves out. A logical matchup would pit Brady against Machado Garry, while the winner of Buckley vs. Usman could face a returning Belal Muhammad. Where does this leave Rakhmonov? Possibly on the sidelines until late 2025, which must be frustrating for a fighter in his prime. Though he didn’t specify the nature of his injuries or a timeline for return, one thing is clear: Shavkat Rakhmonov believes the welterweight championship is his destiny, regardless of who holds it when he comes back!

(Image Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie – Imagn Images)

Belal Muhammad

Jack Della Maddalena

Shavkat Rakhmonov

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!