LAS VEGAS – At 40, Stephen Thompson could be facing the toughest challenge of his career in Shavkhat Rakhmonov, and he knows it.
That’s also why he loves it.
Thompson, a former two-time welterweight title challenger, is out to show he’s still got the goods to be a UFC champion. And in his own words …
“Who better to prove myself and show the UFC and the world that I’m ready for a title shot, another title run than Shavkat Rakhmonov?” Thompson said Wednesday during UFC 296 media day at the UFC Apex.
It’s a valid question considering Rakhmonov’s impressive career to this point. The 29-year-old Kazakh fighter is undefeated in his MMA career at 17-0, which includes his first five UFC appearances. Not only is Rakhmonov undefeated, he boasts a 100 percent finishing rate with nine submissions and eight knockouts. Rakhmonov was tested in his last appearance as he gutted out a third-round submission of Geoff Neal in the UFC 285 Fight of the Night this past March.
For these reasons, Rakhmonov is No. 5 in the current UFC welterweight rankings and has been anointed by many to be a future UFC champ. As far as Thompson is concerned, Rakhmonov checks all the boxes.
“I think his record says it alone,” Thompson said. “He’s undefeated. He’s finished everybody that he’s fought. I think he’s only had five fights in the UFC, but he’s beaten everybody. I feel like his toughest opponent was Geoff Neal, which we both fought against him. He ended up finishing him; I didn’t. So that’s obviously something to look at, but I think he’s definitely one of the toughest guys in the division right now.”
If he’s victorious at UFC 296, Thompson (17-6-1 MMA, 12-6-1 UFC), who’s No. 6, expects to be given serious consideration for a title shot. Ever since he came up short twice to then-champ Tyron Woodley in 2016 and 2017 (one majority draw, one majority decision), “Wonderboy” has struggled to work his way back into title contention, posting a 4-4 record.
Thompson doesn’t necessarily think beating Rakhmonov will secure a title shot, as he believes that belongs to UFC 296 backup fighter Belal Muhammad, but he acknowledges it’s possible. At the very least he hopes for the assurance of a No. 1 contender fight against the loser of Saturday night’s main event between champ Leon Edwards and Colby Covington.
If he had a choice, he’d pick Edwards under whichever circumstances.
“There’s one guy I’ve been wanting to fight for the longest, and that’s Leon,” Thompson said. “I’ve been trying to get that fight for a while now, and it hasn’t worked. This is before he was champ. It would be great no matter what happens Saturday.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 296.
