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Fighters On The Rise | UFC 308

Identifying Three Emerging Talents To Track This Weekend At Etihad Arena

By E. Spencer Kyte • Oct. 22, 2024

The UFC’s annual October venture to Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi has consistently produced breakout performances and big efforts that have solidified the standing of ascending contenders across various divisions.

In 2020, Shavkat Rakhmonov made his promotional debut, submitting Alex “Cowboy” Oliveira in the opening round. Four years later, he remains undefeated and is set to challenge for the welterweight title at UFC 310 in December. The man he’ll face for that belt, newly minted champion Belal Muhammad, enjoyed his breakout effort two years later at UFC 280 when he bounced Sean Brady from the ranks of the unbeaten.