Currently without an opponent, Shavkat Rakhmonov taunts UFC featherweight champ Ilia Topuria: "Can fight him with one hand"
Ilia Topuria was recently the target of a hilarious dig from Shavkat Rakhmonov after it was reported that 'Nomad' had asked for a fight. The welterweight contender claimed that he could fight Topuria with one hand.
Rakhmonov posted a picture of himself locking in an armbar on an individual on a beach in his most recent Instagram story. However, he replaced the person with a photo of Topuria. The 30-year-old wrote:
''I heard Topuria wanna fight me, can fight him with one hand.''
Rakhmonov was finally set to challenge Belal Muhammad for the American's first welterweight title defense in the main event of UFC 310 in Las Vegas.
Topuria even backed the undefeated Kazakh to defeat Muhammad. However, their title fight was scrapped as the champion pulled out of the bout after suffering a bone infection in his left foot.
Rakhmonov, who is now without an opponent for UFC 310, has asked for an interim title fight as Muhammad recovers from his injury. In his most recent octagon appearance at UFC 296 last year, the No.3-ranked welterweight took on Stephen Thompson and secured a second-round submission win.
Meanwhile, Topuria made his first successful featherweight title defense after defeating former champion Max Holloway in the main event of UFC 308 last month. Notably, the Spaniard became the first fighter to knock Holloway out.
Belal Muhammad discusses Shavkat Rakhmonov's request for an interim title fight
As Belal Muhammad waits on the sidelines after suffering a foot injury prior to his welterweight title fight with Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310 next month, Rakhmonov took to X and expressed his support for the reigning champion's quick recovery and asked for an interim title fight with any 170-pound fighter.
However, Muhammad, who recently appeared on The Anik & Florian Podcast, questioned 'Nomad's' request for an interim title fight, saying:
"I could see them [UFC] trying to do something with Shavkat, but he's calling for an interim title fight, and I'm like, 'Interim title fight? Bro, it's six weeks, not six months that I'm off... So for me, I know who my next opponent is gonna be. If he wants to wait, it's gonna be us."
Check out Belal Muhammad's comments below (19:05):