Wonderboy Explains Rakhmonov Dispute After UFC 296
Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson’s frustration with Shavkat Rakhmonov was about the explanation for their UFC 296 fight, not the result. Looking back in September 2024, Thompson said Rakhmonov had talked up a striking contest, then relied on wrestling and submitted him. Thompson accepted the strategy; he disputed Rakhmonov’s account that an ankle injury drove the change.
Rakhmonov won with grappling
At UFC 296 in December 2023, Rakhmonov took Thompson down and finished him with a rear-naked choke at 4:56 of the second round. The result gave the unbeaten welterweight another finish and marked the first submission loss of Thompson’s MMA career, according to the UFC’s official results.
The disagreement over the explanation
Thompson told MMA Fighting he was not upset that Rakhmonov chose to grapple; he was irritated that Rakhmonov had predicted a striking exchange before the bout and later cited an ankle problem. Rakhmonov had said the injury was serious and nearly caused him to withdraw. Thompson said he doubted that explanation. That is Thompson’s view of the exchange, not an independently established account of Rakhmonov’s motives.
Their careers moved on
Rakhmonov went on to beat Ian Machado Garry by unanimous decision at UFC 310 in December 2024, then was sidelined by injuries and has not fought since, UFC records and MMA Fighting reported. Thompson later lost to Joaquin Buckley at UFC 307 and to Gabriel Bonfim by split decision in July 2025. No rematch between Thompson and Rakhmonov has been announced. Thompson is scheduled to make his final UFC appearance against Charles Radtke at UFC 334 on November 14, 2026, according to Reuters.
Sources
Tags: Wrestling, Olympic Wrestling
