UFC 285: Geoff Neal and Shavkat Rakhmonov bout unlikely to go the distance
- Liam Hampton
- 3 March 2023
Geoff Neal and Shavkat Rakhmonov are set for an explosive encounter at UFC 285.
In a welterweight division stacked full of talent and log jammed at its peak, Neal and Rakhmonov know that their matchup is dangerous but necessary in order to reach the summit.
Neal comes into the bout as a Dana White Tuesday Night Contender Series graduate, whose nickname "Handz of Steel" is one of the most appropriate in the division, with four of his seven UFC wins coming as a result of his striking.
After beginning his UFC career on a five-fight win streak, losses to top fighters Stephen Thompson and Neil Magny looked to have halted his progress, however Neal never slowed down and defeated Santiago Ponzinibbio and Vicente Luque to earn his spot in the rankings at #7.
By contrast, Rakhmonov is a Kazakh terminator who is yet to taste defeat or even see the judges scorecards in his 16 fight career.
After blitzing through his competition in M1-Global, "Nomad" submitted Alex "Cowboy" Oliveira in his UFC debut as a statement of intent, and followed that up with finishes of Michel Prazeres, Carlston Harris and Neil Magny, with no man making it past the second round.
With eight knockouts and eight submissions in his MMA career, Rakhmonov looks to be the beast from the east that no one wants to deal with.
My prediction is Rakhmonov to win via submission as he will attempt to neutralize Neal's powerful striking game through grappling.
Key Stats
Rakhmonov has only entered the third round once in his career.
Neal has never been finished inside the UFC.
Suggested bets
Shavkat Rakhmonov to win by Submission.
Fight to not go the distance.
