… Guyanese to face-off against undefeated Shavkat Rakhmonov

FOR Guyana’s Carlston Harris, the man from Skeldon, Berbice, getting to the UFC was 11 years in the making and now he is one of the most-talked-about welterweights in the popular Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) professional arena.

After a perfect two-fight start to his UFC campaign, Harris will face another hot-shot in the game – Shavkat Rakhmonov – tonight at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas.

Harris made his professional MMA debut in 2011 and got his shot at the UFC in September of 2021.
His entrance to the UFC was marked with a first-round win via an Anaconda Choke against American Christian Aguilera. He followed that up with another first-round KO win in his second fight against Impa Kasanganay.

While not much has changed about Harris in the past nine months since his last fight, almost everything has changed for him.
Mixed Martial Arts is relatively new to Guyana and the 34-year-old Berbician has catapulted to become the face of the sport locally.

His UFC success has brought him fame and recognition in Guyana. He told reporters, “They started MMA in Guyana because of me, because I’m the only fighter from Guyana. There are a lot of kids who look up to me and this could be life-changing for them.”

“I like to inspire kids. I believe they can look at my path and do the same and dream about a bright future,” Harris added, highlighting that his position as a role model is accepted graciously.

Even though it took eleven years, while Harris may have risen to some level of celebrity status in Guyana, not much has changed about him. He’s still the same welterweight who puts in six hours of training a day, watching every fight card and spreading positivity over social media.

“I think that everything happened at the right time,” Harris said about his decade-long professional career before his Octagon debut. “I think if I had gotten to the UFC earlier, I might not have been as successful. Now, I have experience.”

That experience may be the difference-maker this weekend, as Harris prepares to upend the record of an undefeated Rakhmonov.
“I know this guy is dangerous, a complete fighter, and has a lot of hype around him, but I’m here to fight. I don’t choose my opponents. Any opponent, I sign the contract and step up to face them,” the welterweight said, seemingly unfazed by Rakhmonov’s 14 straight professional wins – all coming by way of finish.

“I’ve seen everything at this point. I went through a lot, with some difficult situations in the cage; I’m a survivor of the cage, and I’m ready.”
Harris, speaking with a level of confidence that has always been present regardless of opponent, knows that there’s more to the sport than the record shown beside someone’s name.

“Fights are a chess game, and you have to play the game well. Anything can happen in a fight, so you have to play the game well. I don’t look past my opponents; I take things one step at a time.”

The “one step at a time” approach has served the 34-year-old well, as he boasts nine wins in his last ten fights – seven by way of finish – and a five-fight win streak propelling him into tonight’s matchup.

“You can’t look past me, I surprise people,” Harris said. “I believe in my training, I believe in my team, and I believe in what I do. It’s been years of sacrifice, and I won’t just throw it down the drain.”

As the welterweights in both corners head into their third UFC fight tonight at the UFC APEX, ‘Moçambique’ is not only ready but excited for the challenge ahead of him.

“The biggest mistake! He can’t rush. (Rakhmonov) has to take his time because if he rushes, the lion will be there waiting on him,” Harris said, recognising the opportunity that lies ahead for him. “This is big. Taking away that zero would be awesome.”