Shavkat Rakhmonov understands that Conor McGregor returning is big box office, but he still feels he’s the no-brainer option to get the next UFC welterweight title shot — even if the former two-division champion delivers in his comeback fight.
Rakhmonov appears to be the likely No. 1 contender for the 170-pound championship, which is currently around the waist of Belal Muhammad following the now-champ’s win over Leon Edwards at UFC 304. “Nomad” told MMA Fighting that he was offered a title shot against Muhammad at UFC 307 in October, and agreed to it, but claims Muhammad declined due to the timing of the fight.
Should McGregor return to fight Michael Chandler—which was initially scheduled as a welterweight bout to take place at UFC 303 in June—before Rakhmonov puts pen to paper on a contract to fight Muhammad, McGregor’s star power could potentially make things murky, as history suggests. Regardless, Rakhmonov believes the UFC will stick to their word.
“To be honest, I don’t even think about when’s Conor going to fight, [and] when he’s going to be ready,” Rakhmonov told MMA Fighting. “I don’t think about all that. He’s been getting ready to fight for a long time but wasn’t able to do that yet. So, in my head, I don’t really think about him [maybe] winning this one fight in three years. [Is that] going to do something?
“I understand he’s a big star but in my head, I don’t see it being possible, I believe UFC is the best and the most fair organization, so I believe they’re going to do everything right.”
The 29-year-old Rakhmonov has finishes all 18 of his opponents, including the six fighters he’s faced in the UFC. In his most recent outing, the No. 3-ranked welterweight in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings became the first fighter to submit Stephen Thompson at UFC 292 this past December.
While Rakhmonov doesn’t think McGregor has a case to jump the line over him should timing work out in the Irish superstar’s favor, he admits that a fight with McGregor would certainly interest him should it be offered — although, it’s not something he’s chasing.
“So yeah, who don’t wanna fight Conor right now?” Rakhmonov said. “But to be honest, I don’t even think about it for me. The most important thing is to win the belt, and that’s my focus.”
