5 most exciting prospects in the UFC welterweight division right now

#2. Shavkat Rakhmonov (15-0 overall, 3-0 in the UFC)

Shavkat Rakhmonov is an ominous presence in the UFC’s 170 lb division. Think Khamzat Chimaev, without all the hype.

Rakhmonov joined the UFC two years ago and has won all three of his fights since making his promotional debut at UFC 254 in 2020. The Kazakh phenom boasts an unblemished professional MMA record of 15-0. He has finished all of his opponents so far in his career, beating eight by way of KO/TKO and seven by submission.

‘Nomad’ has been likened to rising star Khamzat Chimaev. The duo are very similar, as both possess elite wrestling, impeccable submission skills and devastating power in their strikes. The only difference between them is the way they carry themselves. Rakhmonov’s soft-spoken demeanor is a stark contrast to Chimaev’s outspoken nature.

The promotion has been looking to push Chimaev up the welterweight ladder at an unprecedented pace, considering his performances and the way he has resonated with the fans. However, the promotion has a fighter just as good as 'Borz' in Rakhmonov, who is primed to take over the 170 lb division in the coming years.

At just 27, Rakhmonov has a long way to go in his career. It'll be interesting to see how his career pans out. A matchup with Chimaev down the line will undoubtedly be an explosive encounter.

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#1. Khamzat Chimaev (10-0 overall, 4-0 in the UFC)

Without a doubt, Khamzat Chimaev is the hottest prospect in the UFC at the moment. The Russian-born Swedish fighter made waves in the MMA community with a couple of dominant outings on Fight Island in Abu Dhabi in July 2020.

Subsequently, Chimaev took on Gerald Meerschaert at UFC Vegas 11. 'Borz' knocked Meerschaert out just 17 seconds into their fight, establishing himself as one of the most intriguing prospects in MMA across all weight classes.

Despite his incredible 3-0 start in the promotion, there wasn't much talk of Chimaev competing for a title as he was still unranked. The three fighters he faced were unranked as well, with two of them no longer being a part of the promotion.

He was then booked to fight then No.11-ranked Li Jingliang at UFC 267 last year. Many believed that the Chinese welterweight would pose a threat to Chimaev and that the matchup would be a conclusive litmus test to show whether he was a legitimate championship contender. He secured a double-leg takedown in the very first round and effortlessly choked out Jingliang.

There was no doubt after the bout that Chimaev is a real threat to Kamaru Usman's reign as the UFC 170 lb champion. His background in combat sambo, coupled with his underrated striking, will prove to be a real handful for anyone.

In his post-fight interview with Daniel Cormier, 'Borz' put the entire division and roster on notice.

Chimaev is reportedly set to square off against No.2-ranked Gilbert Burns in his next bout. A win over 'Durinho' would likely see 'Borz' fight for the title next.

A Chimaev-Usman bout down the line has the potential to be reminiscent of the Matt Hughes-Georges St-Pierre bouts of the past. It remains to be seen how things will play out atop the welterweight division.