Shavkat Rakhmonov Claims Usman, Prates, Covington Turned Down Offers to Fight Him

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

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— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) December 2, 2024