In the bustling landscape of the UFC welterweight division, a host of emerging talents are making their mark. However, one standout is the dynamic fighter from Kazakhstan, Shavkat Rakhmonov. As he navigates the challenges of his burgeoning career in the UFC, he faces formidable opponents along the way. Among these challenges is seasoned and tenacious former UFC welterweight champion, Colby Covington.
Recently, Covington and Rakhmonov have been engaging in a heated exchange. The Kazakh fighter accused Covington of not genuinely wanting to face him in the octagon. Rakhmonov suggested that the former UFC welterweight champion’s antics on social media are merely a ploy to gain fan attention. In response, Covington appeared to retaliate. As such, he even called for a potential fight between the two.
Covington appeared to indicate that he was enjoying leisure time at one of the golf courses of newly elected President Donald Trump. After leaving the golf course, the former UFC champion mentioned that the first thing he would do was call the UFC executives about a potential fight against Rakhmonov. Interestingly, while criticizing the Kazakh fighter, Covington also mocked Rakhmonov’s ethnicity by referring to him as a “caveman.”
Rakhmonov was born in Uzbekistan. He later embraced a new chapter in his life by becoming a citizen of Kazakhstan, which further connected him to the traditions of the region. Although Rakhmonov is associated with a nomadic lifestyle, he does not fit the stereotype of a rugged caveman as suggested by Covington. In fact, the welterweight contender did not take much time to respond to Covington’s video.
Shavkat Rakhmonov reacts and accepts Colby Covington’s offer for a fight
Colby Covington is a seasoned veteran of the UFC. Throughout his impressive career, he has faced numerous formidable opponents and maintained an outstanding fight record. Notably, Covington has also had memorable moments during press conferences, where he has showcased his skill in trash-talking.
Recently, Rakhmonov expressed his disdain for the American fighter’s habit of trash-talking. In a bold move, the Kazakh fighter seemingly left a comment on Covington’s latest social media post. Additionally, following Belal Muhammad‘s withdrawal from their scheduled fight, Rakhmonov made it clear that he was eager and prepared to step into the octagon to face Covington.
Shavkat Rakhmonov responds to Colby Covington 👀🍿
“Let’s go, I’m ready! Your talking will not help you in the octagon.”#UFC #MMA #UFC310 pic.twitter.com/lHeLc2SyAk
-Advertisement-— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) November 11, 2024
Besides Covington, Rakhmonov is also a potential opponent for Kamaru Usman, who recently expressed interest in facing the Kazakh fighter. On the other hand, Ian Garry is another intriguing option for Covington, especially since the two have been engaging in an ongoing back-and-forth for quite some time.