Rakhmonov: Muhammad turned down UFC 307 fight due to 'timing issues'

Shavkat Rakhmonov says the UFC tried to book a title fight between him and welterweight champion Belal Muhammad at UFC 307 on Oct. 5 in Salt Lake City, but Muhammad wasn't able to agree to the matchup.

"I've already been offered a fight (against) Belal, and I accepted the fight against Belal," Rakhmonov told MMA Fighting's Mike Heck earlier this week. "But unfortunately, he declined to fight me due to the timing issues. He wasn't ready to defend his belt on that time. So we'll see what's gonna happen and when he's going to be ready so I will be able to fight him."

It would've been a relatively quick turnaround for Muhammad, who outworked Leon Edwards to capture the 170-pound belt at UFC 304 on July 27.

Muhammad said after beating Edwards that he wanted to defend his belt in November or December.

"Before (Muhammad) became a champion, and after he won the belt, he said he's gonna be an active champion and he will defend his belt more often," Rakhmonov said. "But at the moment, he wasn't backing up what he said."

Rakhmonov earned the right to challenge for the title by finishing his first six opponents in the UFC - including Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson, Geoff Neal, and Neil Magny - and maintaining a 100% stoppage rate throughout his undefeated 18-fight pro career. Rakhmonov is ranked No. 3 in the welterweight division.

The 29-year-old Kazakh fighter, whose most recent fight came last December, said he's willing to wait several more months until Muhammad is ready to go.

"If they say December, January, I'm gonna be ready," Rakhmonov said. "If they say April, May, it doesn't matter. I already deserve to fight for the belt. I already secured the spot, and I'll just make sure I'm gonna be ready for the fight. So, whenever he's ready, I’m in."