Shavkat Rakhmonov passed the biggest test of his career Saturday night and remained undefeated.

The rising welterweight star submitted No. 7-ranked contender Geoff Neal with a rear-naked choke at the 4:17 mark of the third round at UFC 285 in Las Vegas.

With less than a minute left in what had been a thrilling, back-and-forth contest, Rakhmonov had Neal hurt up against the fence and was teeing off with strikes, but then he jumped on his opponent's back and sunk in the submission to secure his biggest win yet.

After the fight, Rakhmonov said he wants to fight for the 170-pound title or face Colby Covington in what would likely be a No. 1 contender bout. Champion Leon Edwards is scheduled to defend the belt in a trilogy bout with former champ Kamaru Usman at UFC 286 on March 18.

"I've been saying one or two fights before the title shot," Rakhmonov said in his postfight interview. "I'm ready now."

Neal had more success against Rakhmonov than anyone before him. He landed several big punches in close quarters and his takedown defense held up well.

However, Rakhmonov pulled away late in the fight, punishing Neal with body shots and hammering on him with elbows in the clinch. Neal rocked him early in the third round but Rakhmonov survived.

With the victory, Rakhmonov moves to 5-0 in the UFC - all finishes - and 17-0 as a professional. The Uzbekistan native was ranked No. 9 in the division heading into the fight.

Neal was riding a two-fight winning streak, which included a marquee knockout win over Vicente Luque last August.