'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Shavkat Rakhmonov recently expressed his respect for Belal Muhammad as both a fighter and a challenge. 'The Nomad,' who is unbeaten in 18 fights with 18 finishes, recently spoke to Vestnik MMA ahead of his UFC 310 welterweight title fight, where he will face divisional kingpin Belal Muhammad.
Despite his own flawless run of form in the sport of MMA, Rakhmonov isn't looking past Muhammad, who he regards as a difficult puzzle to solve. Nevertheless, he is confident in his own skills. In the aforementioned interview, he said:
"My opponent is really good. You can't underestimate Belal Muhammad. He's great at stalling fights, he has a great technique. I don't think it will be an easy fight for me. I will do my best in this fight. I will give everything I have in this fight."
Trending
Moreover, 'The Nomad' praised Muhammad for his work ethic, which has been on display in his training sessions with the great Khabib Nurmagomedov and reigning lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. He added:
Get the latest updates on One Championship Rankings at Sportskeeda and more
"Belal is a hard worker. He always trains hard. He always trains, he always learns something new. Good for him. May the better man win when we fight."
Check out Shavkat Rakhmonov's thoughts on Belal Muhammad (2:49 and 3:56):
Rakhmonov's most recent bout came in December 2016, when he faced veteran Stephen 'Wonderboy' Thompson at UFC 296. He ended up submitting 'Wonderboy' towards the end of the second round, cementing his status as one of the very best at 170 pounds.
Shavkat Rakhmonov hasn't always been complimentary of Belal Muhammad
Before UFC CEO Dana White confirmed Shavkat Rakhmonov as Belal Muhammad's first title challenger, 'The Nomad' was engaged in a tireless trash-talking campaign in an attempt to goad the welterweight champion into facing him. One of these instances saw him taunt Muhammad over his finishing rate. On X/Twitter, he wrote:
"18 fighters before you tried, and I finished them all. Meanwhile, in 18 UFC fights, you've only finished 3 opponents. The UFC belt doesn't give you superpowers, brother, it just seems to have made you delusional."
Now, Rakhmonov will have his chance to put his claims to the test on Dec. 7 at UFC 310.
