Shavkat Rakhmonov, a Kazakhstani MMA fighter, secured victory in the welterweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship and had previously held the M1 Welterweight title. In his early career, he achieved success by claiming the WMMAA World and Asian titles.
Commencing his professional journey in October 2014, Rakhmonov made his M-1 Challenge 52 debut against Adam Tsurov, triumphing with a triangle choke and earning the accolade of Submission of the Night. While predominantly competing in the M-1 arena, where seven of his professional bouts took place. He also notched up five victories in the Kazakhstan Mixed Martial Arts Federation, his home country’s own MMA organization.
The fighter known as ‘Nomad‘ entered the promotion in 2020, making his debut against Alex Oliveira at UFC 254. In a remarkable victory, Rakhmonov utilized a rear-naked choke to defeat Oliveira at the 4:40 mark of the first round.
Following this success, the Kazakh athlete notched up wins against Michel Prazeres and Carlston Harris. He also faced UFC veteran Neil Magny at UFC Fight Night: Tsarukyan vs. Gamrot, showcasing impressive skills that left fans in awe, particularly with a well-executed guillotine choke in the second round.
Maintaining an undefeated record in the UFC, Rakhmonov is on an impressive five-fight winning streak within the promotion. Given his stellar performances, it will be intriguing to observe the trajectory of his career in the UFC. Moreover, he has been seen carrying the flag of Kazakhstan inside the octagon.
Shavkat Rakhmonov’s religion and ethnicity
Born on October 23, 1994, in the town of Shurchi, Uzbekistan, Shavkat Rakhmonov comes from Kazakh parents. When he was 16, he and his family relocated to Karagandy, Kazakhstan, their ancestral homeland.
Rakhmonov, a member of the Altynbai clan within the Alimuly tribe of the Junior Zhuz of Kazakhstan, shares this tribal affiliation with his father, while his mother belongs to the Konyrat tribe. Proudly holding Kazakh citizenship, the ‘Wanderer’ holds a deep appreciation for his cultural heritage.
In an interview, Rakhmonov reflected on his upbringing in Kazakhstan, recalling with affection the times when his older brothers encouraged him to engage in friendly fights with other boys. He emphasized that his tribe descended from nomads known for their fierceness and warlike nature.
Moreover, Shavkat Rakhmonov, the UFC fighter, is a committed Muslim. This is evident in his unwavering practice of expressing gratitude to Allah in moments of triumph and adversity alike.
In his next fight, Shavkat Rakhmonov is set to face Stephen Thompson in a welterweight matchup with potential implications for a title shot. ‘Nomad’ holds the #5 ranking, and ‘Wonderboy’ is positioned at #6 in the division. In terms of fighting style, Thompson is primarily a striker with minimal proficiency in the ground game.
