In an exclusive interview with MMA Fighting, rising fighter Shavkat Rakhmonov has expressed his certainty in becoming the next opponent of UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad. Rakhmonov revealed that he had already been offered the opportunity to face Muhammad, but unfortunately, the fight was declined due to timing issues. However, Rakhmonov remains eager to test his skills against the reigning champion and is prepared to wait until Muhammad is ready.

Muhammad claimed the coveted 170-pound title with an impressive unanimous decision victory over Leon Edwards in the main event of UFC 304 in Manchester back in July. It appeared that Rakhmonov, ranked No. 3 in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings for welterweights, would be Muhammad's next challenge. However, former champion Kamaru Usman has also caught Muhammad's attention, potentially complicating the path to the title for Rakhmonov.

When questioned about the proposed championship fight date against Muhammad, Rakhmonov disclosed that it was intended for the Salt Lake City card, UFC 307, in October. Revealing his fighting prowess, Rakhmonov boasts an outstanding professional record of 18-0, with all his victories coming by finish. Inside the UFC octagon, he has remained undefeated with six consecutive wins, showcasing his remarkable skills. In his most recent bout, Rakhmonov submitted two-time title contender Stephen Thompson in the second round at UFC 292 last December.

While awaiting his championship opportunity, Rakhmonov has been focused on recovery and preparing for his title shot. When asked about his expectations regarding the timing of the fight, the determined 29-year-old fighter expressed his willingness to be booked for the bout as soon as possible, or even wait until 2025 if necessary. Rakhmonov emphasized that he has already secured his spot as the rightful contender and is eager to prove himself against Muhammad whenever the champion is prepared.

In the meantime, fans eagerly anticipate the announcement of the highly-anticipated welterweight showdown between Belal Muhammad and Shavkat Rakhmonov. With Rakhmonov's undefeated record and Muhammad's determination to be an active champion, this matchup promises an exhilarating clash within the UFC welterweight division.