The MMA world is quick to hang tags on fighters like “the next big thing,” “someone to watch,” or “future champ.” Shavkat Rakhmonov picked up some of those markers after three finishes in the UFC. However, when his finishes came against opponents who were unranked at the time, those labelling Rakhmonov as “the future” or some such thing might have gotten ahead of themselves.
Things changed in a big way for the 27-year-old welterweight at UFC Vegas 57 when Rakhmonov matched up with Neil Magny.
Magny, who has been with the UFC since 2013 and facing top 170-pound competition since 2015, entered the contest as the No.