Shavkat Rakhmonov Celebrates Independence Day with UFC 296 Triumph
ASTANA — Shavkat Rakhmonov secured his 18th victory at the 296th Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) tournament by defeating American fighter Stephen Thompson in a thrilling battle that lasted three intense rounds in Las Vegas on Dec. 17, as reported by Sports.kz.
Rakhmonov emerged victorious with a rear-naked choke submission with just four seconds remaining in the second round, achieving a historic feat by becoming the first person to finish Thompson by submission in his MMA career.
The victory coincided with Kazakhstan’s Independence Day, and Rakhmonov dedicated his win to his countrymen, extending special holiday wishes after triumphing over a formidable opponent in Thompson.
In recognition of Rakhmonov’s outstanding achievement at UFC 296, Minister of Tourism and Sports Yermek Marzhikpayev extended heartfelt congratulations to the celebrated athlete. Marzhikpayev expressed admiration for Rakhmonov’s impressive performance, emphasizing the significance of the victory over an opponent with Stephen Thompson’s remarkable record of 24 appearances and 17 victories in the Octagon throughout his career.
“Our 29-year-old fighter has been a force in mixed martial arts since 2014, gracing the Octagon 17 times and emerging victorious in all confrontations with unwavering dominance. This marks the 18th victory for our fellow countryman,” Marzhikpayev wrote in his Telegram channel, highlighting the widespread appreciation of Rakhmonov’s journey among Kazakh fans.
Rakhmonov’s triumph has garnered praise and admiration, solidifying his status as an emerging MMA sensation and bringing pride to his home country of Kazakhstan.
