Fans find fault with Stephen Thompson trying to "duck" a fight with the rising prospect Shavkat Rakhmonov due to the grappling threat × Follow Us Create Notifications New User posted their first comment this is comment text Link Approve Reject & ban Delete Log in Manage your profile Editing Story Queue Video Queue Editing Stats Writer Home SEO Redirection Admin Gaming Wiki Edits Taxonomy Home Edit Site Menu Mapping Dashboard Tag Pages Community Social Feed Queue Feed Center Notification Center Affiliate Home Manage Pages Bottom Tagline Dash Timeless Stories Logout MMA UFC News That s not how the UFC works - Fans find fault with Stephen Thompson trying to duck a fight with rising prospect Shavkat Rakhmonov due to the grappling threat By Joshua Ryan Modified 25 Aug 2022 Follow Us Comment Share Shavkat Rakhmonov (left), Stephen Thompson (right) Fans have rallied to oppose Stephen Thompson's decision to avoid a fight against the surging Shavkat Rakhmonov, as the kickboxer would prefer to face a striker in his next outing. The Kazakhstani welterweight has been bulldozing his way through opponents inside the octagon and finds himself just one win away from a place in the top 10. The UFC's 170lbers are certified killers, but the 27-year-old hasn't let anybody stunt his growth, winning all four of his recent fights in convincing fashion. News recently emerged confirming Stephen Thompson's refusal at facing another well-rounded grappler. Fans were less than pleased with the standup fighter, insisting that he couldn't pick and choose his fights in the sport. Delinquent Noodle@purplehash69@dirtyhizzo @bjpenndotcom @WonderboyMMA @ColeShelton91 That's not how the UFC works lol..2@dirtyhizzo @bjpenndotcom @WonderboyMMA @ColeShelton91 That's not how the UFC works lol.. KrisMFJohnson@Kj_Beast95@bjpenndotcom @WonderboyMMA @ColeShelton91 And he complains about not getting a fight and fighting wrestlers...@bjpenndotcom @WonderboyMMA @ColeShelton91 And he complains about not getting a fight and fighting wrestlers... Uzbekazakh @Uzbekazakh@bjpenndotcom @WonderboyMMA @ColeShelton91 BECAUSE HE GET DESTROYED@bjpenndotcom @WonderboyMMA @ColeShelton91 BECAUSE HE GET DESTROYED Sonny@Sonny777992@dirtyhizzo I agree; he had a chance to fight Holland but didn’t; they presented a huge opportunity to get back on track against Shavkat, doesn’t want it. With respect to the gentleman; your a striker, he’s a grappler; matchup and see what skill set comes up on top.2@dirtyhizzo I agree; he had a chance to fight Holland but didn’t; they presented a huge opportunity to get back on track against Shavkat, doesn’t want it. With respect to the gentleman; your a striker, he’s a grappler; matchup and see what skill set comes up on top. damir gajski@dgajsski@bjpenndotcom @WonderboyMMA @ColeShelton91 "Let me work on my craft a little more" and dude is almost 40 years old...hahahaha, I really was a fan of this guy when he showed up in the UFC, Woodley just ruined his...everything :)) Cheers!@bjpenndotcom @WonderboyMMA @ColeShelton91 "Let me work on my craft a little more" and dude is almost 40 years old...hahahaha, I really was a fan of this guy when he showed up in the UFC, Woodley just ruined his...everything :)) Cheers! Image credit: sainttrunks1982 on YouTube While the majority of the supporters shared their disdain towards the No.7-ranked welterweight, some fans chose to side with the aging competitor, assuring that he's making the right decision. Image credit PillageMontage on YouTube Combat Sports Insider@combat_insider@bjpenndotcom @WonderboyMMA @ColeShelton91 Good1@bjpenndotcom @WonderboyMMA @ColeShelton91 Good Shavkat Rakhmonov is a 16-0 prospect who looks almost unstoppable inside the cage. In his career in mixed martial arts, the welterweight has only seen the third round once and has never let a fight go into the judges' hands. The 27-year-old is arguably the best prospect in the division alongside Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Brady. Since arriving in the UFC, he has three submission victories and one knockout. Check out what Stephen Thompson said about a potential clash against the rising Rakhmonov in the video below: Who could Stephen Thompson face next With a weight class stacked with top-tier grapplers, Stephen Thompson may have a hard time finding a potential opponent that suits his fighting style, but is there anybody available? As seen in the video above, the 39-year-old would welcome a striking war with dangerous and flashy athlete Michel Pereira. The Brazilian is riding a five-fight win streak and sees himself ranked at No.15 in the division. Wins over tough opponents like Santiago Ponzinibbio, Andre Fialho, and 'Khaos' Williams are his biggest performances inside the cage, but Thompson would be a huge step up in competition for the 170lber. Aside from the wrestlers and fighters he has faced, there doesn't seem to be many options for him. Rumors of a possible clash against Jorge Masvidal could entice the karate expert, but that may be a rematch to take place further down the line. 'Gamebred' has his eyes firmly placed on a shot at Leon Edwards' welterweight title. View this post on Instagram Instagram Post Poll : 0 votes Quick Links More from Sportskeeda Edited by micah.curtis85 × Feedback Thank You! Be the first one to comment Follow Us Share Show More Comments GIF Comment in moderation 0 0 Reply x Edit Delete Delete the comment? No thanks Delete GIF Cancel Update GIF Cancel Reply ❮ ❯ GIF Comment in moderation 0 0 Reply x Edit Delete Delete the comment? No thanks Delete GIF Cancel Update GIF Cancel Reply ❮ ❯ Be the first one to comment on this story More from Sportskeeda Fetching more content... 1 Manage your profile Editing Story Queue Video Queue Editing Stats Writer Home SEO Redirection Admin Gaming Wiki Edits Taxonomy Home Edit Site Menu Mapping Dashboard Tag Pages Community Social Feed Queue Feed Center Notification Center Affiliate Home Manage Pages Bottom Tagline Dash Timeless Stories Logout No Results Found Get the free App now Manage notifications Popular ‍ Sports (30+) CricketCricket HomeCricket NewsScheduleIND vs SAAUS vs WIENG vs PAKLegends LeagueECC T10County ChampionshipBukhatir LeagueNZ T20 Tri-SeriesWomen's Asia Cup 2022Japan Cricket LeagueWI-W vs NZ-WECT10T20 World Cup FootballFootball HomeNewslettersSK Experts ScheduleEPLNations LeagueLa LigaLigue 1Champions LeagueFIFA WCMLS Bundesliga Serie A WWEWWE HomeNewslettersRumor RoundupRAWSmackDownResultsRosterChampionsWWE Extreme Rules 2022PPV ScheduleAEW EsportsEsports HomeMinecraftOverwatch 2RobloxGenshin ImpactFortniteGTAStreamersFree FirePUBGValorantBGMIPop CultureAnimeGaming TechWiki Guides TennisTennis HomeTennis calendarChina OpenTennis Results TodayATP RankingsWTA RankingsRoger FedererRafael NadalNovak DjokovicSerena Williams MMAMMA HomeUFC NewsONE ChampionshipUFC Fight NightScheduleRankingsResultsUFC Fights TonightONE Championship ResultsONE Championship ScheduleONE Championship Rankings KabaddiKabaddi HomePKL 2022PKL SchedulePKL Points TableKabaddi Rules WikiWiki HomeMinecraft WikiNaruto WikiTikTok WikiYoutube WikiGTA WikiTerraria WikiOne Piece Wiki MoreSportsBasketballIndian FootballNFLMinecraftFormula 1NascarPop CultureCollege FootballHockeyGolfAthleticsBadmintonGymnasticsWrestlingSwimmingTennisShootingBoxingArcheryWinter SportsRobloxSkateboardingKho KhoLifestyle LINKS About Us Write For Us Policies Editorial Standards Journalism Awards Fact Check Affiliate Program Careers CSR Privacy Policy Contact Us Edition: English हिन्दी