Shavkat Rakhmonov calls for Kamaru Usman’s interim title shot

Shavkat Rakhmonov is ready to save UFC 310, preferably by fighting for the interim welterweight title.

Rakhmonov (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) was scheduled to challenge champion Belal Muhammad (24-3 MMA, 15-3 UFC) in the main event on December 7 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, but Muhammad was forced out due to a bone infection in the foot.

The undefeated Rakhmonov, who has not competed since submitting Stephen Thompson at UFC 296 last December, is hoping for a title shot. He proposed an interim welterweight title fight against former champion Kamaru Usman (20-4 MMA, 15-3 UFC).

“I believe there are worthy opponents,” Rakhmonov said through an interpreter on “The Ariel Helwani Show.” “I am also willing to keep the card if it is for the interim belt. I believe Usman is a worthy opponent who will be ready to fight me.”

Rakhmonov’s manager, Sayat Abdrakhmanov, revealed that the UFC is currently working on finding an opponent for Rakhmonov for UFC 310.

“At the moment, negotiations are ongoing,” Abdrakhmanov said. “Obviously there is talk. I don’t know if they’re talking to anyone else, but I’m sure they offered it to Kamaru too.”

Mohammed rejected the idea of ​​an interim title, claiming he only needed six weeks to recover. Rakhmonov expects Muhammad to be out for some more time and believes winning the interim belt would only make their fight even bigger.

“We don’t know when Belal will come back,” Rakhmonov said. “These types of injuries, infections, you could say it’s six weeks, but look at JDM (Jack Della Maddalena). It took much longer. It’s also good for Belal because it will make the fight bigger. It will be a battle between champion and champion. So when Belal is ready and I have secured the interim title, I will fight him.”

For more information on the card, check out MMA Junkie’s UFC 310 event hub.