Shavkat is the number one contender

[TheMoa]

He's out until 2026 due to surgery.

Really? I thought it was MLC, he fought in december, it shouldnt be that long. Even ACL doesn't put you out for a year Plus nowadays.

That being said, feel sorry for the guy.. he could've have sit out that garry fight when Belal pulled out

 

[Fergelmince]

Islam is not ranked at WW

He must defeat at least a top 5 to earn the shot

What do the UFC rules say about this? They have the final say.

 

[Rorschachxx]

Idk how Shavkat got screwed on this. Not only is Islam trying to leapfrog him, you have Garry, Buckley, Brady, Useman, etc…

He should've fought tonight and didn't. Fastest way to get screwed in the UFC.

You stand still for a second, be late for a moment and someone will pass you up.

Tough considering he showed up when Belal pulled out but thats the sport. He will have to win another fight, I say why not him vs Belal?

 

[drew209]

He should've fought tonight and didn't. Fastest way to get screwed in the UFC.

You stand still for a second, be late for a moment and someone will pass you up.

Tough considering he showed up when Belal pulled out but thats the sport. He will have to win another fight, I say why not him vs Belal?

I don’t think the UFC is going to let Belal get anywhere near a title again. It’ll be Shavkat vs Brady or a Garry rematch for #1 contender as the Co Main to JDM vs Islam.

 

[Rorschachxx]

I don’t think the UFC is going to let Belal get anywhere near a title again. It’ll be Shavkat vs Brady or a Garry rematch for #1 contender as the Co Main to JDM vs Islam.

Usman might retire after a fourth loss. He is not touching Belal if he is coming off 4 losses.

Belal and Shavkat have the history, Belal also put on a big show which the UFC will appreciate. He will be ranked no.1 and every WW will try to get a shot at him.

He has options to fight a Top ranked fighter next.

 

[Mick Dojang]

I don't think there's too much interest in seeing Belal fight again (although that fight was a good war, credit where credit's due)

I think a good lineup here would be Islam vs Shavkat, and then the winner of that fights JDM.

Or stretch it out and do a kind-of GP, something like:
1. Islam vs Garry
2. Shavkat vs Brady
3. Winner of 1 vs winner of 2
4. Winner of 3 fights JDM

I guess Belal/Usman/Edwards need to be there somewhere but just thinking in terms of names with more draw at WW at present

 

[Chayanne]

Fights far too little, should be more active

 

[DrRodentia]

I don't think there's too much interest in seeing Belal fight again (although that fight was a good war, credit where credit's due)

I think a good lineup here would be Islam vs Shavkat, and then the winner of that fights JDM.

Or stretch it out and do a kind-of GP, something like:
1. Islam vs Garry
2. Shavkat vs Brady
3. Winner of 1 vs winner of 2
4. Winner of 3 fights JDM

I guess Belal/Usman/Edwards need to be there somewhere but just thinking in terms of names with more draw at WW at present

This scenario likely shelves JDM for too long.

 

[Mick Dojang]

This scenario likely shelves JDM for too long.

That's true, a better commercial decision would probably be JDM vs Islam straight away, though I do feel like doing that makes the rest of the WW division a bit irrelevant

Maybe JDM title defence and Islam against a contender, them the winners of both fighting

 

[Hitdepruns]

Shavkat spends too much time riding his horse in the mountains

Fighters pay is a regular discussion, but there are plenty of fighters spending their prime who knows where.

 

[spinitch]

Shavkat unlikely to be ready to fight sooner and Islam a viable substitute. Volk got to jump the line on similar luck. Shavkat can get his shot when healthy if no others in his way otherwise fight off. Titles to inactive as it is

 

[Rapa]

Islam needs to fight contender first to prove he is real ww