Competition begins today.
Shavkat Rahmonov, currently ranking fifth in the 77 kg division, is a combat sambo master, pancrationist, judo practitioner, boxer, and a recent addition to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His MMA journey has seen him win World and Asian Championships as an amateur, claim the M-1 Global belt, and earn 3 UFC bonuses from his six appearances.
Known for his accurate and powerful striking, impressive kicks, and solid clinch game, Rahmonov is also competent on the ground, with a variety of submissions and hammerfists to overwhelm his opponents. Preferring to dictate the pace, he has secured 17 first-round finishes in 17 fights so far, making him a formidable force in the octagon.
However, his weaknesses include limited experience against top-tier opponents and a declining defensive performance under pressure. His latest fight exposed these issues, which are currently mitigated by his strong chin. Yet, his effectiveness decreases under a barrage of strikes.
On the other hand, Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson, ranked a bit below Rahmonov in the welterweight division, is a former title challenger. He will face Rahmonov at UFC 296 in Las Vegas on December 17. Though a victory won’t guarantee a title shot for either fighter, a win for Rahmonov would be particularly significant for him in achieving his ambitions.
Thompson is known for his precise striking, excellent footwork, and exceptional kicking skills. He's also a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, making him a well-rounded fighter. His experience and ability to adapt make him a formidable opponent. However, weaknesses include a lack of power in his strikes and a slow start, allowing his opponents to dictate the early pace.
Rahmonov, who is 29 years old, has 17 finish victories, is undefeated, and has faced only mid-tier to lower-ranked opponents. He is in his prime, and each of his cage appearances is a show. However, his lack of experience interacting with fighters similar to Thompson's style may pose a challenge.
Thompson, despite his age, continues to hold his own. With a massive background in kickboxing and Goju Ryu karate, he holds a black belt in karate and jiu-jitsu. He has fought for the UFC title twice and has been a fighter in this league for nearly 12 years.
From the beginning of his sports career to the present day, Thompson possesses excellent timing and distance control, outstanding footwork, and virtually flawless counter-striking. He skillfully uses various kicks to keep his opponent at bay, and if they get close, "Wonderboy" effectively ties them up in the clinch, barely allowing the opponent to perform any work. However, his black belt in BJJ is from his brother-in-law, and the results of these trainings are evident. He does not defend well against basic wrestlers' takedowns, and from the back, he does not act like a jitser. His maximum is to tie up and try to stand up, but not to respond with attacks. Additionally, his defensive actions have shown a slight decline in recent times.
Thompson has a 4-4 record in his last eight fights. He lost to subpar opponents like Petttis and Till, and couldn’t compete with Belal Muhammad or Gilbert Burns. However, he managed to stop Vicente Luque, Kevin Holland, and Jeff Neal. Thompson still maintains decent form, even "aging backwards," but age doesn't lie in professional sports. His lack of progress in grappling and a repetitive game plan expose more and more weaknesses in his style.
In the clash of these two opposite styles, Rahmonov has the advantage in reach by 5 cm and a few centimeters in height. In the cage, we'll see opposites clash, as "Nomad" likes to lead in the stand-up, while Thompson has always been the second number. This is the main danger for the favorite, as Thompson absorbed too many strikes from the slower Neal, while Thompson will strike and then move off the attack line.
At least, that's how it works until his muscles fatigue on the ground, which is inevitable. If "Wonderboy" can do anything in the clinch, on the ground, he has nothing to offer his opponent except for holding and controlling. In those situations, he will likely face a decisive defeat.
Overall, Shavkat has a significant advantage due to his ability to cause problems for the former contender in any position, and his grappling skills are most likely to decide this match. Despite Thompson's experience, it is expected that Rahmonov will emerge victorious, with the fight potentially going the distance. A suitable bet in this instance would be on Rahmonov via decision or submission.
- Shavkat Rahmonov, with his impressive MMA record and diverse martial arts background, faces Stephen Thompson in the UFC 296 showdown, aiming for a significant victory that could propel him closer to his ambitions.
- While Rahmonov has shown effectiveness in various aspects of MMA, his lack of experience against top-tier opponents and a declining defensive performance under pressure could pose challenges, especially against a seasoned fighter like Thompson.
- Thompson, a former title challenger, is known for his precise striking, excellent footwork, and exceptional kicking skills, making him a well-rounded and formidable opponent. However, his lack of power in strikes and slow start could allow Rahmonov to dictate the pace early in the fight.
- Despite Thompson's decline in recent times and a 4-4 record in his last eight fights, he still maintains decent form, thanks to his extensive history in kickboxing and Goju Ryu karate. However, his weakness against basic wrestlers' takedowns and inability to respond effectively on the ground could be exploited by Rahmonov, potentially leading to a defeat for Thompson, especially if the fight goes the distance.
