Shavkat RakhmonovvsIslam Makhachev

This is the fight everyone's been fantasy booking since Islam Makhachev shocked the world and became a two division champ at UFC 322. Shavkat "Nomad" Rakhmonov has been calling his shot, saying he can make it difficult for Islam everywhere, and honestly? The dude's earned the right to talk. He's undefeated, finished legends like Wonderboy with a slick rear naked choke, and just went five hard rounds with Ian Machado Garry at UFC 310. Islam fired back saying Shavkat can't just sit around waiting for a title shot, but here's the thing: this matchup is pure fire. You've got Islam, the pound for pound king who just dominated Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322 to capture the welterweight belt. His grappling is suffocating, and he's riding an insane win streak that includes submitting Dustin Poirier in the fifth round and knocking out Volk.

But Shavkat's no joke on the mat either. The Nomad finished four straight fights before that Garry decision, mixing nasty submissions with wild striking. Remember that wheel kick that put Carlston Harris to sleep? This kid's dangerous everywhere. The real question is whether Shavkat's size and power at welterweight can neutralize Islam's wrestling pressure. Islam's looked unstoppable at 170, but he's never faced someone with Shavkat's finishing instincts and submission game at this weight. Can the Nomad stuff those takedowns and make Islam pay in the scrambles?

Or does Islam's experience against elite competition prove too much? This would be for the welterweight strap with massive legacy implications. Islam's chasing history, trying to cement himself as one of the all time greats who conquered two divisions. Shavkat's trying to announce himself as the baddest man at 170. The tension's already brewing between these two, and fans are eating it up.