Joaquin Buckley believes that Shavkat Rakhmonov has been overrated in his rise to the top. Buckley takes pride in being the ‘Team Kill Cliff FC’ Killer. That is, having defeated Impa Kasanganay, Andre Fialho, and Vicente Luque. ‘New Mansa’ naturally had the undefeated phenom in his sights. While that callout has fallen flat, Joaquin Buckley thinks Rakhmonov vs. Belal Muhammad ends one way.
Buckley called out Shavkat Rakhmonov (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) with Jack Della Maddalena out with an injury. However, ‘Nomad’ had a scathing reply, shooting it down. Rakhmonov could be welterweight champion Belal Muhammad’s first title challenger after the UFC 304 PPV title win. The two have engaged head-on for it with social media barbs. Joaquin Buckley makes a clear pick.
First off, I’ve shouted out that Shavkat has never been as good as people claim, …the reason I say that with so much confidence is because when he had the opportunity to fight me, he didn’t…Let’s say I fought Shavkat and he happened to win and beat me. Boom: Easy…you know, I feel like he definitely going to get exposed eventually. If that’s not by me, that’s definitely going to be by Belal.
Joaquin Buckley to Inside Fighting’s Mike Owens (@inside.fighting)
The UFC welterweight contender faces Stephen Thompson in the featured prelim of UFC 307. The knockout artist is 4-0 since dropping to 170 and will be a top contender if he goes through ‘Wonderboy.’ To get matters going, Buckley raised the roof with a gimmicky callout to Conor McGregor before the UFC 303 tragedy happened. Other than the dismissal, Rakhmonov added insult to injury to his delusion.
Buckley would land on a more realistic opponent later, like the Kazakh fighter himself. Shavkat last fought in December of 2023 and not once after. The 30-year-old says he can’t afford to sit and choose with the cogs moving. Hence, he sees Belal Muhammad, who’s willing to be a more active champion, as a clear winner. That might just come true.
Belal Muhammad opts for first run against Shavkat Rakhmonov over Kamaru Usman
Belal Muhammad has zeroed in on Shavkat Rakhmonov for his first title defense. The new champ has been trading barbs with ex-170-pound king and top UFC pound-for-pound Kamaru Usman for a while. However, he admits a run against the undefeated Kazakh fighter does more to his optics.
Belal Muhammad makes a choice (Source: UFC.go.com)Legacy-wise, Belal Muhammad did choose Usman first. However, Usman lost two straight title bouts to Leon Edwards before dropping a majority decision to Khamzat Chimaev at 185. Although widely regardable as one of the greatest welterweights, many believe he does not warrant a title shot right now. Muhammad believes that Rakhmonov is the better option too.
For me now, I would rather it be Shavkat, …think he has more aura. He has the undefeated [part going] about him. There’s no excuses after beating him… [but] If I go out there and beat Usman, Usman’s on a three-fight losing streak. He’s old. He’s on his way out.
Belal Muhammad to MMA columnist Kevin Iole for his YT Channel (@KevinIole)
Belal Muhammad says he wants his first title defense to be against Shavkat Rakhmonov:
“I’d rather have it to be Shavkat. I think he has more aura, I think he has the undefeated-ness to him. There’s no excuse after beating him…
Usman’s on a 3-fight losing streak, he’s old,… pic.twitter.com/3y4CsizOpK
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) September 25, 2024
Even though a good legacy billing, Usman is a lose-lose situation for Belal Muhammad. Although Usman wants such challenges, he isn’t the best option, on a triple-stack stumble and the sidelines since UFC 294. These days he is co-hosting a podcast alongside Henry Cejudo.
Muhammad is looking to build an undeniable legacy by breezing out any up-and-coming contender. But top crops like Usman need another win on such a bad streak to get in the mix, says the champ. Well, at least he isn’t ducking Rakhmonov.
