UFC 296 live blog: Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Stephen Thompson

This is the UFC 296 live blog for Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Stephen Thompson, the featured welterweight fight on Saturday in Las Vegas.

One of the most exciting prospects to enter the UFC in years, Rakhmonov has been a revelation since joining the promotion in 2020. Sporting a 17-0 career record, Rakhmonov is 5-0 in the UFC and has never gone to a decision. That impressive run has Rakhmonov on the cusp of title contention and a big win over a big name like Thompson could push him over the final hurdle.

A former two-time welterweight title challenger, “Wonderboy” has been one of the top 170-pounders in the world for over a decade. But at 40 years of age, and having lost two of his past three fights, questions abound over whether Father Time has simply come for Thompson. Tonight he gets to prove to fans that he still has plenty left for another title run.

Check out the UFC 296 featured welterweight fight live blog below.