Violence clearly runs in the Rakhmonov family.
Undefeated welterweight standout Shavkat Rakhmonov has taken the mixed martial arts world by storm in recent years, earning five straight finishes inside the Octagon en route to becoming one of the most exciting contenders in the division. But as it turns out, ‘Nomad’ isn’t the only fighter in the family.
Over the weekend, Rakhmonov’s sister, Sora Rakhmonova earned her fourth career win, defeating Valeria Karygina via a first-round TKO under the Naiza FC banner in her native Kazakhstan. You can see a clip of Rakhmonova’s impressive finish below:
Sora Rakhmonova (sister of Shavkhat) showing the violence runs in the family, picking up a 2nd round TKO over Valeria Karygina. Nasty in the clinch like her brother. #NAIZAFC51 pic.twitter.com/DuvM6IG2Kx
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) May 26, 2023
After beginning her career 1-2 as an amateur, Sora Rakhmonova has won four of her five bouts as a pro with three of those victories coming by way of finish. Competing as a flyweight, Rakhmonova could be on her way to the UFC after repeated impressive showings, not to mention her ties to one of the most intriguing fighters in the Octagon today.
As for Shavkat Rakhmonov, the 17-0 standout is coming off a massive third-round submission of Goeff Neal at UFC 285 in March. The win moved him into the No. 6 spot in the welterweight rankings, teeing him up for a top-five opponent in his next outing. The question is, who in the top five will step up and attempt to take the Kazakh’s ‘O’? With both Colby Covington and Belal Muhammad circling a welterweight title opportunity, both of them are likely out of the question.
Recent rumors suggest former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman will square off with undefeated Chechen monster Khamzat Chimaev in Abu Dhabi this October. That only leaves Gilbert Burns, a fighter who has gone 2-2 in his last four and is coming off a loss at UFC 288 that saw him sustain multiple injuries.
Who do you think Shavkat Rakhmonov should be matched up with?