Islam Makhachev Is Ducking Shavkat Rakhmonov

Islam Makhachev’s move to welterweight and dominant title victory at UFC 322 created a shockwave through the MMA world.

He handled Jack Della Maddalena with the type of control and pressure that only a handful of champions in UFC history have ever displayed.

With that win, Makhachev became a two-division threat and instantly one of the most talked-about fighters in the world.

But right behind the celebration came a conversation that refuses to go away:

Why isn’t Islam mentioning Shavkat Rakhmonov?

Why is he discussing Kamaru Usman, rematches, and other matchups but consistently avoiding the one man the entire division fears?

Shavkat Rakhmonov, undefeated at 19-0, finishes every opponent he faces and has barely lost a single round in his UFC career.

For many fans and analysts, he is the most dangerous fighter at welterweight—maybe in the entire UFC.

He was originally in line for a title shot before an injury delayed his momentum.

Now that he’s fully recovered, he has openly called out Makhachev and congratulated him on the title win… but Islam has remained silent.

Let’s break down what’s actually happening, why fans think Makhachev is avoiding Rakhmonov, and whether the accusation of “ducking” has any weight behind it.

Islam Makhachev’s Welterweight Takeover: A Dominant Championship Start

When Islam Makhachev announced his move to welterweight, many believed it was merely a one-off experiment or an attempt to chase legacy fights.

Instead, he delivered a performance that made it clear he wasn’t visiting, he was invading.

Against Jack Della Maddalena, Islam displayed:

• Pressure-heavy grappling
• Clean positional control
• Improved power at 170
• More confidence in striking exchanges
• The same suffocating pace that defined his lightweight run

He didn’t just win.
He broke the #1 contender.

Naturally, the narrative shifted to:
“Who’s next?”

And that’s where the controversy began.

Why Fans Believe Islam Makhachev Is Avoiding Shavkat Rakhmonov

After UFC 322, Islam mentioned names like:

• Kamaru Usman
• Potential lightweight trilogy fights
• Superfights for legacy

But he never mentioned Shavkat Rakhmonov, despite Shavkat being the most obvious contender on paper.

This silence raised eyebrows for several reasons.

Shavkat Is the Most Dangerous Matchup in the Entire Division

Shavkat isn’t just undefeated.
He’s 100% finishing rate undefeated.

He attacks relentlessly, mixes wrestling and striking smoothly, and has shown no real weaknesses.

Even top contenders like Geoff Neal were able to make moments happen, but Shavkat always adjusts and always finds the finish.

Against Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson, he won without absorbing a single meaningful strike.

Against Neal, he survived adversity and closed the show with a standing choke. Every one of his UFC fights reinforces the same conclusion:

This man is a nightmare for everybody.

It’s understandable why fans see the lack of acknowledgment from Islam as suspicious.

Islam Keeps Mentioning Usman—A More Familiar Style Matchup

Kamaru Usman is a legend, a former champion, and still an elite fighter. But stylistically, Islam fighting Usman is a wrestling battle that most analysts believe Islam can win due to:

• Younger age
• Better submission threat
• Better control transitions
• A more complete top game

Shavkat, on the other hand, brings unpredictability, youth, size, and ferocity that Islam hasn’t seen before.

When Islam publicly favored a fight with Usman instead of mentioning Shavkat, fans read it as choosing the safer path.

Shavkat Already Declared Himself the True Contender

The moment Islam won the title, Shavkat congratulated him but also reminded him—and the entire world—that he is the rightful next challenger.

He said clearly:

“I am the real contender for Islam.”

No trash talk.
No disrespect.
Just direct, confident intent.

Even after that, Islam still did not say Shavkat’s name.

Timing: Shavkat Is Back From Injury and Ready

Shavkat’s injury delayed his title shot earlier, but now he is medically cleared and actively training. His coaches and camp have repeatedly confirmed he wants Islam next.

If the champion were interested, he would acknowledge him publicly—but he hasn’t.

Is Islam Makhachev Actually Ducking Him? Or Is There Another Explanation?

Now, being fair—even when fans feel Islam is avoiding Shavkat—there are still legitimate factors to consider.

Islam may not be scared of anyone, but champions do manage career trajectories strategically.

Let’s examine the other side honestly.

UFC Superstar Path vs. High-Risk, Low-Reward Fight

A fight with Kamaru Usman:

• Sells more PPVs
• Brings a bigger purse
• Adds to legacy because Usman is a former champion
• Attracts more general sports attention

A fight with Shavkat:

• Extremely dangerous
• Lower mainstream attention
• Doesn’t sell huge numbers unless hardcore fans push it

Champions often choose the more profitable fights—especially right after winning the belt.

Islam Just Entered the Division—He May Want Gradual Climb

Jumping straight into Shavkat is like skipping levels in a video game.

Some fighters prefer to test themselves across stylistic matchups before entering the toughest possible fight.

UFC Has Its Own Plans

The UFC often directs matchmaking for:

• Storylines
• Revenue
• Pay-per-view potential
• International audience growth

A Makhachev vs Usman fight is easier to promote globally.

Meanwhile, Rakhmonov, despite being elite, does not yet have the same mainstream star power.

But none of these explanations erase the fact that Islam hasn’t once acknowledged Shavkat publicly.

And in MMA, silence speaks loudly.

Why Shavkat Rakhmonov Is the Matchup Fans Actually Want

Fans aren’t just pushing this fight for hype.
There are real competitive reasons.

Both Are Technical, Complete, and Relentless

• This isn’t striker vs wrestler.
• It’s not veteran vs prospect.
• It’s not hype vs discipline.

This is:

• Elite grappler vs elite grappler
• Undefeated machine vs undefeated champion
• Apex predator vs apex predator

They share many strengths:

• Clinical wrestling
• Dominant top control
• Sharp grappling IQ
• Sudden finishing ability
• Composure under pressure
• Rare cardio levels

This is one of the few fights where fans genuinely cannot predict who wins.

Shavkat Has the Tools to Break Islam’s Game

Shavkat brings danger from every position:

• Knees
• Front kicks
• Trips inside the clinch
• Body lock throws
• Chokes in transitions
• Unpredictable pressure
• Long strikes that open grappling entries

He is the only welterweight who can match Islam’s pace while also threatening him everywhere.

It’s no wonder fans think Islam wants a slower approach to this matchup.

Shavkat’s Mentality Matches His Skills

• He is quiet but confident—never cocky.
• He shows zero fear.
• He wants the toughest challenge available.

When a fighter this good and this dangerous calls for the champion, it’s hard for fans to accept silence in response.

Why Islam Cannot Avoid Shavkat Forever

Whether deliberate or accidental, not mentioning Shavkat only fuels more conversation.

But eventually:

• Mandatory challengers rise
• Public pressure grows
• The UFC wants the most competitive fights
• Legacy questions begin to surface

Just as Islam had to fight Volkanovski and other top contenders at lightweight, the welterweight division will force him to face Shavkat.

The division cannot be legitimate until those two share the Octagon.

How the MMA Community Is Reacting

Fans across social media believe the same thing:

“Islam is avoiding the one guy who can end this run.”

Even analysts have chimed in, noting that Islam mentioning Usman repeatedly while ignoring Shavkat signals selective matchmaking.

Shavkat supporters are even louder.
They believe this is finally the matchup that will:

• Test Islam’s control
• Break his streak of dominance
• Show whether his welterweight frame can handle another elite grappler

It’s rare for fans to unite on something, but on this topic—they are nearly unanimous.

Shavkat Rakhmonov’s Quiet Pressure Is Working

Shavkat isn’t trash-talking or campaigning desperately.
He is doing the opposite: staying calm, training consistently, and sending one message.

“I am the real contender.”

That confidence, paired with his undefeated record and terrifying fight style, has put Islam in a position where the questions won’t stop.

Every time Islam mentions another name, the conversation shifts back to one question:

“Why not Shavkat?”

What Really Happens If Islam Fights Shavkat?

This fight is so compelling because both men bring answers—and vulnerabilities—we don’t often see in the same cage.

If Islam Wins

• He shuts down the narrative.
• He beats the most dangerous man in the division.
• He adds a massive badge to his legacy.

If Shavkat Wins

• He becomes the most feared champion in years.
• He defeats a generational talent.
• He begins a new era instantly.

There is no way around it:
This is the biggest welterweight fight the UFC can book right now.

Final Thoughts: Is Islam Ducking Shavkat?

Here’s the honest assessment:

• Islam may not be afraid of Shavkat.
• But he is definitely avoiding mentioning him.
• His preference for safer, more marketable names makes the situation look intentional.
• Shavkat’s undefeated, finishing-heavy record makes him a nightmare matchup.
• The public pressure will eventually force the fight.

Champions often choose easier paths early in their title reigns.
But if Islam wants to solidify himself as one of the greatest, he knows exactly who he has to face.

And that man is Shavkat Rakhmonov.

Until Islam says his name, fans will continue to believe the same thing:

Islam Makhachev is ducking the most dangerous contender in the division.