After the UFC welterweight Shavkat Rakhmonov‘s impressive show at UFC 285, the Kazakh fighter showed his intent on climbing the rankings with a callout that probably shocked a few fans. 28-year-old Rakhmonov, following his submission victory against Geoff Neil, decided to challenge number two-ranked Colby Covington during his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan. Since the American has been a mainstay at the top of the welterweight rankings, a win here could possibly open up the door to a title or at the least a contender’s spot for Rakhmonov.

President Dana White, too, seemed quite open to the possibility of the fight. While speaking to the media following UFC 285, White also expressed an interest in the bout but interestingly made another statement on the same lines, leaving fans wondering if it would even go ahead.

Fans react after Dana White shows interest in a Colby Covington and Rakhmonov fight

As soon as White’s statement from the interview went public, MMA fans poured in the comment section of the popular combat sports outlet’s post. And rightfully so, as the 53-year-old himself seemed excited about the possibility of the fight.

When asked about Rakhmonov’s callout, he replied: “Yea I didn’t know that. That’s fun. It’s a fun one”. Although he then goes on to claim that for the moment, he was just open to the idea and not really confirming the bout. “I’m not making the fight. I’m just saying I didn’t know he did that, but well see.”

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But the fact that White confirms Covington’s eagerness to fight in the next statement is what left fans excited. “Colby’s ready to fight. He’s ready to fight anybody. We’ve reached out to him for a couple of different fights and he said yes to it, but it just didn’t work out.” 

Since the former interim champ was last seen inside the octagon a year ago on UFC 272, many expect ‘Chaos’ to make a return in the next few months.

With reactions pouring inform fans, it was quite evident that a lot of them felt that Rakhmonov would easily beat the American.

“Get Colby out of the rankings. Dude isn’t fighting any time soon, just wasting a spot at this point.”

“There is NO!!!!! way Colby will take this fight he’ll make every excuse.. LOL!!!!”

“Colby’s busy calling out Dustin” 

“Colby isn’t fighting anymore. We just need to accept that.”

“Colby won’t even acknowledge Shavkat’s existence, I expect him to call out Dustin instead.”

“Wtf happened to Colby, I haven’t heard his name in a long time.”

A few mocked Covington, making a reference to his dispute with Jorge Masvidal.

“Call the cops fights like once in a year”

“There is NO!!!!! way Colby will take this fight he’ll make every excuse.. LOL!!!!”

“Colby “someone call the cops” covington got his whole personality changed when jorge knocked his tooth out lmao. Now colbys afraid to even step in the cage again much less against an elite fighter in his weight class.”

There were definitely a few fans who felt Covington was a tough challenge for ‘Nomad’.

“He couldn’t get Neal down. Colby smothers this dude and wins decision.”

“Colby beats shavkat within an inch of his life if they make that fight happen. Shavkat is very good mind you but he got rocked several times against Neal and had to rely on wrestling to really wear him down.”

Shavkat Rakhmonov calls out Covington after beating Geoff Neil

After an intense back and forth that eventually helped the bout win the ‘Fight of the Night’, Rakhmonov was able to make a huge statement as he submitted Geoff Neil in the final round. Despite both fighters hurting each other multiple times, ‘Nomad’ managed to get the upper hand owing to his grit and toughness that saw him climb to seventeen career wins.

Read More: “I Don’t Really Like Doing Stuff Like That”: Dana White Didn’t Bite His Tongue After Jake Gyllenhaal Shot ‘Road House’ at UFC 285

Following the bout, the 28-year-old wasted no time in calling out Covington. And considering his ambitions of climbing the rankings, it was surely the right call out by the Kazakh.

Watch This Story: “Once He Comes Back It’s Over…” – UFC World Reacts to Latest Colby Covington USADA News