Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Stephen Thompson.
Rakhmonov showcased his dominance against Thompson, establishing control early on with clinch work against the cage. Despite initial attempts at a takedown and a few strikes exchanged, the first round concluded without much significant action. In the second round, Thompson's striking forced Rakhmonov to pursue a takedown, leading to a ground exchange where Rakhmonov secured a dominant position. After several submission attempts, Rakhmonov eventually locked in a deep rear-naked choke, forcing Thompson to tap out just before the round ended, solidifying his claim for a potential No.1 contender status in the division.
Rakhmonov's performance illustrated a calculated approach, initially facing resistance in securing a takedown against Thompson's defensive tactics. However, as the fight progressed, Rakhmonov adeptly capitalized on opportunities, controlling the ground game and persistently seeking submission openings. Despite Thompson's resilience and ability to escape earlier submission attempts, Rakhmonov's relentless pressure and technical skill ultimately led to a decisive rear-naked choke in the dying moments of the round, solidifying his dominance and confirming his status as a formidable contender in the division.
