MMA Guru Mesmerized By ‘Mysterious’ Shavkat

Shavkat Rakhmonov has become the biggest puzzle to solve in the UFC’s stacked welterweight division. His recent submission finish over Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson at UFC 296 not only solidified Rakhmonov as a top contender heading into 2024, but it has left some of the brightest minds in MMA completely perplexed by his success.

This includes renowned MMA head coach, Firas Zahabi, who owns the famous TriStar Gym out of Canada. Zahabi has trained the likes of George St-Pierre, Rory MacDonald, Robert Whittaker, and Arnold Allen throughout his professional career. He’s well-known as one of the smartest people in the sport and someone who can break down almost any fighter in front of him,

Oddly enough, Zahabi has had a tough time understanding just how good Shavkat has been since entering UFC back in 2020. The undefeated fighter from Kazakhstan is currently 6-0 as a member of the UFC welterweight division and has a perfect finish rate to boot. Rakhmnov has quietly dismantled every fighter UFC has put in his way and just became the first person to submit “Wonderboy” inside of the Octagon.

“I was watching Shavkat, and I was trying to understand what makes this guy so great,” said Zahabi on his YouTube channel (via MMA Junkie). “I still haven’t understood, but he’s great. I just don’t understand how he does it.

“Guys, I’ve watched countless fights, I’ve trained countless hours and trained so many phenomenal, talented fighters. This guy is very mysterious. What is it about him that overwhelms these fighters? ‘Wonderboy’ is a phenomenal striker, and he was even slipping and countering ‘Wonderboy.’ It was shocking to me.

“He out-wrestled ‘Wonderboy’ and choked him out in Round 2. Guys, ‘Wonderboy’ had never been submitted. … He’s never been (submitted), and Shakkat went in there and finished him. Shavkat is very special.”

Rakhmonov, 29, has become something of a fan favorite. Despite barely speaking English and carrying a mysterious aura about him, the welterweight contender is gaining fans at a rapid pace. It doesn’t hurt that Shavkat is finishing every fighter UFC throws his way, including veterans like Thompson, Neil Magny, and Geoff Neal.

“Shavkat is something I can’t understand,” Zahabi said. “I’m intrigued. I can’t wait to watch more of him. I can’t wait to see what weaknesses this man has.

“Can he beat Leon Edwards? I can’t say no to that. I cannot say no. I don’t know. I don’t know. I’m going to find out like the rest of you guys. To me, it’s insane what he’s done in the octagon. It doesn’t make any sense. None of it makes any sense.”