Shavkat Rakhmonov vs Stephen Thompson — Fight recap

Shavkat Rakhmonov submitted Stephen Thompson via submission in the second round at 4:56, asserting his dominance as a welterweight contender. Rakhmonov landed 28 of 36 significant strikes (77% accuracy), with 24 head strikes connecting cleanly, while controlling the fight for 7:45 total.

Thompson managed 16 of 25 significant strikes at 64% accuracy but never secured a takedown or accumulated meaningful control time, unable to implement his striking range against Rakhmonov's aggressive forward pressure. Rakhmonov's wrestling proved decisive, landing one of five takedown attempts and setting up the finish with two submission attempts before securing the tap.

The performance underscored Rakhmonov's well-rounded skill set and his ability to neutralize one of the division's most technical strikers through relentless cage control and positional dominance. The win positions Rakhmonov as a serious title contender in a stacked welterweight division.