Shavkat
Rakhmonov was allegedly turned down by a slew of opponents for
UFC
310.
Rakhmonov was initially scheduled to challenge Belal
Muhammad for the welterweight title at UFC 310 on Saturday
before the champ was forced out with an infection. “Nomad” was
eventually matched up against Ian Garry in
the evening’s co-headliner at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Prior to that, there were rumors of a potential booking between
Rakhmonov and Kamaru
Usman. However, Rakhmonov recently revealed that Usman was not
the only fighter who was offered a matchup against him at UFC 310.
According to “Nomad,” Usman, Carlos
Prates and Colby
Covington all turned down bookings against him for various
reasons. While Prates was injured, Covington simply turned it down
and Usman backed out after initially accepting the fight.
“I wanted to fight Kamaru Usman. But he didn’t accept the fight,”
Rakhmonov told Submission Radio. “Also, they offered to Prates, but
he was injured. And Colby Covington, he rejected the fight. And I’m
happy that Ian Garry accepted the fight… In the beginning [Usman]
accepted the fight, and then he rejected. Maybe he didn’t want to
risk.”
Meanwhile, Usman went off on fight fans for accusing him of ducking
Rakhmomov. “The Nigerian Nightmare” cited his impressive title
reign in his defense, refuting allegations of being scared of the
Kazakh.
“When you as fans don’t get their desired wish that they want,
‘That’s the fight I want.’ Then it’s like, ‘Oh no, that guy must be
scared because he didn’t take the fight.’ Like guys, shut up. Shut
up,” Usman said on the Pound 4 Pound show. “We step in there each
and every time. I have 22-25 fights… Everyone, ‘Oh you’re scared.’
OK. World champion at defending belts time and time again. ‘Oh
you’re scared.’ Shut up.”
Kamaru Usman isn’t happy with fans saying
he’s afraid of Shavkat Rakhmonov:“[I’m] a world champion that defended belts time and time again.
‘Oh he’s scared’, yeah shut up.”🎥 @pound4poundshow,
h/t @MMAPROSPICK
#UFC
#MMA
#UFC310— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS)
December 2, 2024