WATCH: Shavkat Rakhmonov and Bellator champ’s wrestling test ends with thunderous slam

On Dec.16, Leon Edwards squares off against Colby Covington at UFC 296. In the same card, Shavkat “Nomad” Rakhmonov takes on Stephen Thompson at the upcoming event. Rakhmonov has been honing his wrestling skills against Bellator welterweight champion Jason Jackson in preparation for his bout with karate specialist Thompson. A new video has surfaced that sees both fighters hash it out in a sparring session.

‘Nomad’ made his debut in the UFC in 2020, at UFC 254. Since then Shavkat Rakhmonov has maintained a good in-promotion streak. His notable highlights include Geoff Neals and Neil Magny. The said video sees members of Rakhmonov’s gym surround him as he wrestles Jackson. The two go back and forth taking each other down.

But Rakhmonov succeeds in stuffing a takedown by Jackson, scooping him up and slamming him down on the mat. The video has garnered major reactions, stipulating Bellator MMA as the “B-league” sport.

Rakhmonov, at 17-0-0, entered the UFC with unbeaten statistics. He has only added on to his impressive resume since. The fighter currently holds 4 submission wins within the promotion and is famed for his definitive grappling. The welterweight contender last faced against Neals, in March. He won the bout by way of submission in the third round.

Fans have commended the Bellator champion for being vicious in the trade. Jackson accumulated many consecutive takedowns in his last outing. But, standing now, Rakhmonov has been commended even more so. This has naturally and inevitably drawn in some UFC vs. Bellator comparisons.

Shavkat Rakhmonov turned down an offer to fill in for Colby Covington vs. Leon Edwards at UFC 296

Leon Edwards will defend his gold against Colby Covington at UFC 296 on Dec. 16. The match is a welterweight titular bout. On the other hand, flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja will face Brandon Royval. Shavkat Rakhmonov has a bout on the same card. But leading up to it, he was offered to be the backup for Edwards vs. Covington.

Edwards, at 21-3, 1 NC, has won two straight fights, most recently a majority decision over former pound-for-pound king Kamaru Usman at UFC 286 in March. The Jamaican-born, English native is riding a 12-fight unbeaten streak.

Edwards, 32, defeated Usman by way of a fifth-round knockout to win the belt at UFC 278 in August. Covington, following suit, had agreeably served as a backup for this trilogy fight, thus earning him a shot.

Rakhmonov, on the other hand, is unnaturally unbeaten, with a 17-win streak and no draw-ins. He has even won four pro-MMA title fights, from 2018 to 2019, all by way of knockouts/TKO. His last title fight was against Tiago Varejao Lacerda. Many fans have concluded that this is a false move, as many backup fighters have followed the trend to win favors of title shots in the future. Rakhmonov is set out to prove otherwise.

In case you missed it:

• “Entire roster scared,” Fans call out Covington, Burns and Muhammad after welterweight stars remain silent as Shavkat Rakhmonov offers to fight at UFC 294
• WATCH: Kelvin Gastelum’s sparring injury which cost fan-favorite Shavkat Rakhmonov fight

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