The welterweight title picture became even more crowded after Shavkat Rakhmonov ’s performance against Stephen Thompson in the final pay-per-view of the year. At UFC 296 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, a few welterweights were hoping to make their case to disrupt the title picture going into 2024. Rakhmonov (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) submitted his claim to No.1 contender status by submitting former title challenger Thompson (17-7-1 MMA, 12-7-1 UFC) at 4:56 in Round 2 with a rear-naked choke. Rakhmonov applied pressure after the initial feel-out process, clinching with Thompson against the cage. The crowd grew restless as the position began to stall out, prompting a brief exchange of short punches. Rakhmonov eventually isolated a leg and lifted it high, but was unsuccessful in getting Thompson to the ground.
See the original post here: