- The rising UFC star believes he is next in line to fight for the welterweight title
- Shavkat Rakhmonov has discussed Conor McGregor’s expected UFC return
- UFC president Dana White has clashed with McGregor over a return date
UFC welterweight title contender Shavkat Rakhmonov is trusting the organisation to stick to their word and give him a championship shot ahead of Conor McGregor, if the Irishman ever makes his long-awaited return.
McGregor has earned legendary status as one of UFC’s most high-profile stars but hasn’t fought since being beaten by Dustin Poirier three-years ago.
The former multi-belt champion was set to fight again in June but was forced to pull out of his bout with Michael Chandler citing an injury that has required treatment.
McGregor has laid out plans to fight before the end of the year, despite UFC president Dana White rejecting the suggestion, and Rakhmonov believes he will be honoured as the next challenger for Belal Muhammad.
29-year-old Rakhmonov is favourite to challenge Muhammad for his welterweight title in what will be a first defence since he dethroned former holder Leon Edwards.
UFC welterweight title contender Shavkat Rakhmonov (pictured) is trusting the organisation to stick to their word if Conor McGregor returns to the ring
29-year-old Rakhmonov (left) is favourite to challenge Belal Muhammad for his welterweight title
UFC legend McGregor has outlined his plans to return to the ring before the end of the year
Rakhmonov has claimed he was previously offered the chance to fight Muhammad but a date was never agreed and there are some fears a blockbuster return for McGregor could see him jump to the front of the title shot queue.
Commenting on his place in the pecking order, Rakhmonov told MMA Fighting: ‘I understand he’s [McGregor] a big star but in my head, I don’t see it being possible.
‘I believe UFC is the best and the most fair organization, so I believe they’re going to do everything right.’
‘To be honest, I don’t even think about when’s Conor going to fight, [and] when he’s going to be ready. I don’t think about all that. He’s been getting ready to fight for a long time but wasn’t able to do that yet.
UFC president Dana White (right) has rejected suggestions that McGregor is close to returning
‘So, in my head, I don’t really think about him [maybe] winning this one fight in three years. [Is that] going to do something?
‘I understand he’s a big star but in my head, I don’t see it being possible, I believe UFC is the best and the most fair organization, so I believe they’re going to do everything right,’ he added.
UFC chief, White, has so far rejected McGregor’s claims that he will be fighting for the organisation before the end of the year as he continues to step up his training regime.
His return will likely coincide with a mega UFC card given the global interest in watching the Irishman step back inside the arena for what many believe could be his last time.
