Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Belal Muhammad: A UFC Title Fight Worth Watching
Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Belal Muhammad: A UFC Title Fight Worth Watching
By Ali Hammad September 09, 2024 05:28
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.
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