Shavkat Rakhmonov was compromised heading into UFC 296.
Rakhmonov (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) submitted former title challenger Stephen Thompson (17-7-1 MMA, 12-7-1 UFC) on this past Saturday’s main card at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, but was forced to change up his strategy.
In an interview with Laura Sanko, Rakhmonov was asked about tearing a major ligament in his ankle six weeks prior to the fight, which had the undefeated contender contemplating withdrawing from the fight.