MMA Preview – Shavkat Rakhmonov vs Stephen Thompson at UFC 296
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
SHAVKAT RAKHMONOV VS STEPHEN THOMPSON FACTS
When is UFC 296? Saturday 16th December, 2023 - 23:00 (UK)
Where is UFC 296? T-Mobile Arena, Paradise, Nevada (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC 296? Click here to buy tickets for UFC 296
What channel is UFC 296 on? TNT Sports Box Office (£19.99 – main card)
Where can I stream UFC 296? TNT Sports subscribers can stream the fight online via the TNT Sports website and Discovery+
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
SHAVKAT RAKHMONOV VS STEPHEN THOMPSON LOWDOWN
Shavkat Rakhmonov (21-3(1)) is one of the hottest prospects in the UFC right now and he is only getting better. He arrived to the big time with a lot of hype sitting on a perfect 12-0 record. Since then, he has lived up to the hype continuing his 100% finish rate. He submitted Alex Oliveira (2020) on debut and followed suit against Michel Prazeres (2021). He then collected three performance bonuses by knocking out Carlston Harris (2022) with a spinning hook kick before submitting Neil Magny (2022) and Geoff Neal (2023).
Stephen Thompson (17-6-1) accepts the fight no one wants, but his last 15 opponents have all been absolute monsters, so it is nothing new to him. He also has an impressive win over Neal (2020) earning a ‘Performance of the Night’ with a unanimous decision. He then got out wrestled in two decision losses to Gilbert Burns (2021) and Belal Muhammad (2021). However, he returned last year to turn back the clock with a striking masterclass put on Kevin Holland (2022) earning a late TKO.
SHAVKAT RAKHMONOV VS STEPHEN THOMPSON PREDICTION
Rakhmonov is a seamless fighter and is only getting better. The Magny and Neal submissions cemented his prospect status and, it is his grappling credentials that can add another big name on the record here.
Thompson is arguably the best technical striker in the division. Rakhmonov is a dangerous striker in his own right, but he will get picked apart from range if this stays on the feet. If he hunts Thompson’s chin, he will get caught in his web, but if he uses his strikes to set up his takedowns, he can control the fight.
It is the weakness in Thompson’s game, and we believe the prospect can close the distance and blunt the weapons by tying him against the cage and dragging him down to the mat. Thompson is extremely hard to submit, but he can be pinned down and that is what we expect to happen.
He is a huge underdog which will always make a small punt tempting, but this is a tough match-up for him. His durability and defence could lead to the first decision of Rakhmonov’s career.
Prediction: Rakhmonov via Decision
Value bet: Thompson to win
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
SHAVKAT RAKHMONOV VS STEPHEN THOMPSON FACTS
When is UFC 296? Saturday 16th December, 2023 - 23:00 (UK)
Where is UFC 296? T-Mobile Arena, Paradise, Nevada (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC 296? Click here to buy tickets for UFC 296
What channel is UFC 296 on? TNT Sports Box Office (£19.99 – main card)
Where can I stream UFC 296? TNT Sports subscribers can stream the fight online via the TNT Sports website and Discovery+
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
SHAVKAT RAKHMONOV VS STEPHEN THOMPSON LOWDOWN
Shavkat Rakhmonov (21-3(1)) is one of the hottest prospects in the UFC right now and he is only getting better. He arrived to the big time with a lot of hype sitting on a perfect 12-0 record. Since then, he has lived up to the hype continuing his 100% finish rate. He submitted Alex Oliveira (2020) on debut and followed suit against Michel Prazeres (2021). He then collected three performance bonuses by knocking out Carlston Harris (2022) with a spinning hook kick before submitting Neil Magny (2022) and Geoff Neal (2023).
Stephen Thompson (17-6-1) accepts the fight no one wants, but his last 15 opponents have all been absolute monsters, so it is nothing new to him. He also has an impressive win over Neal (2020) earning a ‘Performance of the Night’ with a unanimous decision. He then got out wrestled in two decision losses to Gilbert Burns (2021) and Belal Muhammad (2021). However, he returned last year to turn back the clock with a striking masterclass put on Kevin Holland (2022) earning a late TKO.
SHAVKAT RAKHMONOV VS STEPHEN THOMPSON PREDICTION
Rakhmonov is a seamless fighter and is only getting better. The Magny and Neal submissions cemented his prospect status and, it is his grappling credentials that can add another big name on the record here.
Thompson is arguably the best technical striker in the division. Rakhmonov is a dangerous striker in his own right, but he will get picked apart from range if this stays on the feet. If he hunts Thompson’s chin, he will get caught in his web, but if he uses his strikes to set up his takedowns, he can control the fight.
It is the weakness in Thompson’s game, and we believe the prospect can close the distance and blunt the weapons by tying him against the cage and dragging him down to the mat. Thompson is extremely hard to submit, but he can be pinned down and that is what we expect to happen.
He is a huge underdog which will always make a small punt tempting, but this is a tough match-up for him. His durability and defence could lead to the first decision of Rakhmonov’s career.
Prediction: Rakhmonov via Decision
Value bet: Thompson to win
