Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Belal Muhammad: A UFC Title Fight Worth Watching

Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Belal Muhammad: A UFC Title Fight Worth Watching

Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Belal Muhammad: A UFC Title Fight W...

Photo by Mike Roach/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Few matchups in mixed martial arts provoke more excitement than the forthcoming bout between Shavkat Rakhmonov and Belal Muhammad. The two fighters have built strong careers in the UFC, and each brings something different to the octagon, putting them on course for impressive success within the welterweight division. 

Shavkat Rakhmonov is a multi-skilled fighter with a unique finishing ability and quickly endeared himself to the fans. Meanwhile, the American Palestinian fighter Belal Muhammad has been grinding his way up with a workhorse-style heart and head.

Fighter Profiles

Shavkat Rakhmonov

Background and Fighting Style

At 6'1" with a reach of 77 inches, Rakhmonov is a master of wrestling and sambo. He is very accurate and heavy-handed on the feet, leading to many of his takedowns where we see him best in submission grappling.

Career Accomplishments and Stats

Undefeated at 18-0, Rakhmonov has yet to go the distance in his career, as he's developed a well-deserved reputation for finishing fights. To be fair, he has had some quality wins over reputable opponents of late that would solidify his place in the pecking order. His striking and grappling are a tough challenge for anyone in the division.

Belal Muhammad

Background and Fighting Style

5'11" with a 72-inch reach, Muhammad is slightly undersized than Rakhmonov but makes up for it by suffocating his competition and having an insanely high fighting IQ. He uses an orthodox stance and is volume-based in his striking style rather than being a one-punch knockout-type fighter.

Career Stats and Highlights

Muhammad comes in with a record of 24-3 and has become unbeatable since his last loss. His versatility to change and apply methods has allowed him to hang tough against top-end competition. He lands 4.39 significant strikes a minute, has a striking accuracy of 43%, and has an impressive takedown defense rate of 89%, which makes him such a versatile fighter with many ways to win against each opponent he faces.

Fight Analysis

Strengths and Weaknesses

Shavkat Rakhmonov

Strengths: He is strong and has deadly accuracy in his striking, which he uses to create opportunities for his unique submission-based grappling. He gains a good monarch distance by his reach.

Weaknesses: Rakhmonov has yet to taste defeat, but that killer instinct could be both a blessing and curse versus Muhammad. Still relatively untested at the highest level in terms of durability for an all out brawl.

Belal Muhammad

Strengths: Belal has great cardio and a very calculated game. It will be difficult to fight against such a versatile fighter who can stick to his pace and change tactics during the match. He does well-defending takedowns, which helps ensure that the fight takes place standing and should give him a sizable edge in terms of outpointing his opposition.

Weaknesses: Muhammad lacks knockout power. It could be a disadvantage if he cannot keep pace with the fight against a finisher like Rakhmonov.

Style Matchup

Rakhmonov is a finisher, and Muhammad has excellent conditioning, pressure fighting, and wrestling. If Rakhmonov can keep a comfortable distance on the feet and use his reach, it could be his fight to dictate. On the other hand, Mohammad will look to close and push much less, using his boxing engine to power his wrestling protection against and put on Rakhmonov with rounds.

Predictions and Expectations

This one should be a good ole fashion slobber-knocker with both fighters looking to bring their A-game. With both fighters known for striking, Rakhmonov will try to put the fight away before Belal might have a chance. Muhammad, meanwhile, will look to survive the early onslaught and take it into deeper waters where his cardio could give him an advantage.

Favorite: Things to keep an eye on during the fight include how effective Rakhmonov is at landing big shots and whether Muhammad can avoid getting taken down. It will likely come down to which fighter can execute their game plan best.

How it plays out: Both fighters have the tools to finish, so this one is an absolute coin-flip, but the slight nod goes to Rakhmonov's finishing ability. Nevertheless, if Muhammad can effectively execute his game plan and drag this fight into the distance, he could win a decision.

This fight is pivotal in the careers of both fighters and possibly the ultimate decider for how much changes at 170 lbs. In two different styles, they bring high stakes to this affair and are as good a matchup in terms of action, including the potential for drama on their own accord or elsewhere after it is done, as we will see all year.


SHOP Mystery Signed Memorabilia

LATEST

  • NEWS
  • |
  • ARTICLES
  • |
  • VIDEOS
img_articles

Ilia Topuria Challenges Max Holloway Head of UF...

img_articles

Alex Pereira Convinces Dana White to Sign Forme...

img_articles

A Behind The Scenes Look at MMA Champion Corey ...

img_articles

Alex Pereira Breaks UFC Record

img_articles

Ilia Topuria Sets Eyes on Lightweight Fight vs ...

img_articles

UFC 307 Pereira vs Rountree Preview

img_articles

Terence Crawford Rejects Conor McGregor Fight

img_articles

Alex Pereira Seeking History

img_articles

UFC Legend Claims Jones Will Not Fight Aspinall...

img_articles

Is Conor McGregor Leaving the UFC to Fight Mike...

img_articles

Who Will be Dustin Poirier's Opponent for his F...

img_articles

Sean Strickand Training with Alex Pereira Ahead...

img_articles

Three Potential Opponents for Conor McGregor in...

img_articles

Jorge Masvidal Eyes UFC Return

img_articles

Dana White Says Conor McGregor's Next Opponent ...

img_articles

Ilia Topuria Dismisses Mega-Fight with Sean O'M...

img_articles

Alex Pereira Training in Utah Ahead of UFC 307

img_articles

Sean O'Malley to Undergo Hip Surgery

img_articles

Dana White Confirms Tom Aspinall as Backup Figh...

img_articles

What Does the Future Hold for Conor McGregor?

img_articles

Despite UFC Noche loss; Sean O'Malley Is Still ...

img_articles

Ilia Topuria's Film Matador Ready to Hit Theate...

img_articles

Sean O'Malley Predicts 'Inevitable' Clash with ...

img_articles

Dana White Reveals Key Details Behind Productio...

img_articles

Inside Umar Nurmagomedov's Net Worth: A Financi...

img_articles

Umar Nurmagomedov: A Future UFC Champion by 2025?

img_articles

Usman Nurmagomedov's Net Worth: What You Need t...

img_articles

Why Shavkat Rakhmonov is Poised to be a UFC Cha...

img_articles

Shavkat Rakhmonov's Net Worth: An In-Depth Look

img_articles

Ian Garry's Name Change: The Story Behind 'Mach...

img_articles

Sean O’Malley's Heritage: Ethnicity, Nationalit...

img_articles

Brian Ortega and Tracy Cortez: A Deep Dive into...

img_articles

Knockout Kings: Fighters with the Most Knockout...

img_articles

Who Holds the Reins at the UFC? Unveiling the P...

img_articles

Exploring Valentina Shevchenko and Pavel Fedeto...

img_articles

A Closer Look Into Alexa Grasso's Ethnic Backgr...

img_articles

What is Valentina Shevchenko's Net Worth?

img_articles

Understanding UFC Noche: The Meaning Behind the...

img_articles

Is Merab Dvalishvili Married? Exploring His Per...

img_articles

Merab Dvalishvili's Net Worth: A Financial Over...

img_articles

Who Is Danya Gonzalez? Unveiling Sean O'Malley'...

img_articles

Why UFC Noche Tickets Come with a High Price Tag

img_articles

What is Alexa Grasso's Net Worth?

img_articles

Renan Ferreira: Rising Star in MMA - Career Hig...

img_articles

Sofia Whittaker: Meet the Supportive Wife Behin...

img_articles

What is Steven Seagal's Net Worth?

img_articles

Gabi Garcia: The Towering Presence in Women's M...

img_articles

Powerhouse Women: Top 5 Most Muscular Female MM...

img_articles

Sharon Couture: Discovering the Life of Randy C...

FAN ARCH PODCAST NETWORK

nothing

Mystery Signed Memorabilia

//script of featured and trending tab div