Shavkat Rakhmonov is one of the blue-chip prospects in the UFC in the welterweight division. The MMA fighter hails from Kokshetau, Kazakhstan, and has caught the attention of the fans in a short period. Two things about Rakhmonov instantly grab the eyes of the fans. First is the traditional hat of Rakhmonov, and second is his nickname, Nomad.
The headgear Rakhmonov wears during promos and post-fight interviews is a traditional headdress that is a trademark of Kazakh people. The hat is made from wolf or faux fur and is an essential accessory for hunters in the country who need to navigate the cold winters. Kazakhstan has long winters where temperatures reach as low as -50 degrees Celsius (-58 Fahrenheit), with an average of -10 degrees Celsius.
Joe Rogan is interviewing Shavkat Rakhmonov with the traditional Kazakh hat on after a barnburner. I love this sport man😂 pic.twitter.com/ndCbEkPbUS
— Emiel Sardarean (@Standemup) March 5, 2023
The fur hat also stole the spotlight when Shavkat Rakhmonov made his appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience. The hat is an important piece of identity for Rakhmonov, who is the first Kazakh fighter in the UFC. The hat also holds emotional value for Shavkat, who received it as a gift along with the national flag before his UFC debut.
The reason behind the nickname of Shavkat Rakhmonov
The second thing about Shavkat Rakhmonov that instantly grabs the attention of the fans is his nickname, Nomad. The reason behind the nickname follows the tribal nature of the Kazakh people. The people of Kazakhstan are descendants of Mongolian tribes and Turkic Kipchak tribes.
Kazakh ancestors had a strong nomadic history as they traveled from one place to another before settling their roots around the country of Kazakhstan. The nomadic culture was symbolized by the hat that was worn by the hunters of the tribe.
Shavkat Rakhmonov is 17-0, all wins via finish.
It would be very impressive if he could secure a UFC title at 20-0 with all wins via finish.
Shavkat has elite finishing instincts. pic.twitter.com/ywpmcICvYk
— Ocelot MMA (@Ocelot_MMA) December 11, 2023
All these reasons lay the strong cultural foundation behind the nickname of Shavkat Rakhmonov. Many other nicknames for the UFC are used for intimidation. However, Rakhmonov’s nickname connects his current journey with his roots.
The nickname and the fur hat give a distinct identity to Rakhmonov as he slowly progresses his way into the division. Some fans find Rakhmonov’s journey a little similar to Khabib Nurmagomedov’s journey. Hat being a big part of their visual identities is the reason; however, Rakhmonov is on his separate path in the Welterweight division.
In Rakhmonov’s MMA journey, he has fought in six different countries. These include Kazakhstan, Russia, the United States, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, and Azerbaijan. The distance in the round trip is around 37,000 miles across these countries, which sums up the modern nomadic lifestyle of Shavkat Rakhmonov.