Nothing is worse for MMA fans than matches being rescheduled. But it is inevitable. With its opening event of the year, UFC Vegas 67, on January 14, the UFC is set to start 2023 off strong. However, Geoff Neal‘s withdrawal from his match against Shavkat Rakhmonov owing to an undisclosed injury has put the event’s co-main contest in jeopardy. However, Bryan Barberena, a fellow welterweight, saw it as an opportunity and jumped at the chance to challenge the ‘Nomad’ in order to fill in the gap. And Rakhmonov accepted the challenge in no time. However, if this comes to pass, the fans won’t be that pleased. Instead, they have a different, more suitable opponent lined up for the UFC fighter, who could be ideal for challenging his perfect record. Khamzat Chimaev. A fellow undefeated UFC star, who could serve as the ideal matchup for the Kazakh beast.

Fans warn Bryan Barberena upon challenging Shavkat Rakhmonov

Bryan Barberena did what any other UFC fighter would do who is itching for a new challenge. Locked in a position for a fight against Shavkat Rakhmonov as soon as he saw the opportunity. He’s received a nod from the ‘Nomad’, too. But the fans don’t think it is wise for him to go head-to-head against the undefeated UFC star.

Rakhmonov wrote, “Why not, let’s do it for the fans” in response to Barberena’s challenge. But fans want something else. Something better, perhaps.

Read more: VIDEO: Is Undefeated Shavkat Rakhmonov the Next Khamzat Chimaev of the UFC With a Dominant UFC Fight Victory?

Check out how the fans responded to this:

Top Stories

Ilia Topuria’s UFC Title at Risk After Personal Break Turns Worse With “Extortion” Claim

UFC Vegas 112 Fighter Carried Out of Octagon After KO Loss Leaves Her Unable to Walk

Daniel Cormier Takes Sly Dig at FOX While Reflecting on UFC’s ESPN Exit

Dana White Set to Lose Another Star to Boxing as UFC Champ Reveals Major Career Decision

Alistair Overeem Urges Rampage Jackson to Reconsider Major Career Move Amid Health Concerns

Most fans were against this matchup since they believed that Shavkat Rakhmonov would prove to be too big of a challenge for Bryan Barberena:

And then, there was a section of fans who wanted ‘Nomad’ to fight Khamzat Chimaev instead:

Both Rakhmonov and Chimaev are undefeated and hungry for a fight. Hence, this matchup could be the next big thing for the UFC, as it holds a lot of promise in it.

Rakhmonov vs. Chimaev checks all the right boxes

In addition to being unbeaten, Shavkat Rakhmonov and Khamzat Chimaev share the aspect of having no current opponents. And hypothetically, if both of them are pitted against each other in the octagon, it could potentially serve as a major pay-per-view bout down the line. And there are reasons for it, too.

Rakhmonov and Chimaev are both excellent strikers and thrive in the ground game. They’re both in the zenith of their powers and prepared to take on the toughest test yet. And the prospect of an undefeated fighter competing against another undefeated fighter, perhaps for a championship, might send the UFC community into a frenzy due to the amount of excitement that would result.

At last, the fans want it, too. So maybe Dana White could give it a thought. Since everything about this fight has written ‘blockbuster’ all over it.

Watch this story: Joe Rogan Cools Beef With “Extraordinary Human Being” Conor McGregor