Are you wondering about the hat Shavkat Rakhmonov wears during his UFC walkouts, post-fight interviews, and press conferences?
In this article, we’ll look at what Shavkat Rakhmonov’s hat is, why he wears it, and where you can buy a Shavkat hat.
Contents
What Is Shavkat Rakhmonov’s Hat?
Shavkat Rakhmonov’s hat is a traditional Kazakh headdress worn by Kazakh people during winter to keep their head, ears, and back of the neck warm.
The headdress is either made of wolf or fox fur and was made into a headdress by Kazakhstani hunters before it was more commonly used around the country.
Kazakhstan is recognized as the second coldest country in the world, with long winters historically reaching temperatures as low as -52 degrees Celsius (-61.6 Fahrenheit), but averaging between -9 and -12 degrees Celsius.
Kazakhstani people are descendants of Turkic Kipchak tribes and Mongolian tribes, and together Kazakhstanis are often referred to culturally as Turco-Mongol.
This is the reason why Shavkat Rakhmonov is nicknamed Nomad, as his Kazakh ancestors were historically nomads who would wear the headdress he wears.
Shavkat Rakhmonov most recently gifted Joe Rogan a traditional Kazakh headdress after submitting Geoff Neal at UFC 285, and the pair both wore one during the post-fight interview.
Why Does Shavkat Rakhmonov Wear a Hat?
Shavkat Rakhmonov wears the traditional Kazakh hat for four main reasons.
1. He was the first Kazakh fighter in the UFC and he’s proud to represent his country around the world. He gets to represent the background and culture of his Kazakhstani ancestors who were nomads (his nickname) and used the hat while traveling. He’s also a huge fan of how beautiful the hat looks.
2. He was given the hat and his national flag as a gift before his UFC debut, so he initially wore it to show his appreciation but it’s now an ongoing UFC tradition for him to wear it during walkouts, post-fight interviews, and press conferences.
3. Although he’s never publicly admitted it, walking to the octagon wearing a wolf-skin hat is an intimidation tactic. He’s undefeated in the UFC and MMA with a 17-0 record and a 100% finish rate, is completely stoic and focused, and wearing the hat symbolizes him as a hunter and nomad approaching his prey.
4. It’s an easy way to remember him and it can become iconic if he continues his winning streak and becomes an undisputed UFC champion; much like how Khabib used to wear a hat called a Papakha for similar reasons.
Where Can I Buy a Shavkat Hat?
You can buy the same hat Shavkat Rakhmonov wears on Amazon for $290. It’s made from real wolf fur with a wolf’s tail attached, and the whole product is made from wolf fur.
Traditional Kazakh/Mongolian headdresses are also available on Etsy for $208. They’re cheaper because they’re made with raccoon fur and they use real leather on top of the head instead of fur.
The Bottom Line
So, ‘what is Shavkat Rakhmonov’s hat and why does he wear it?’
Shavkat Rakhmonov’s hat is a traditional Kazakh headdress made of wolf or fox fur and traditionally worn by hunters and nomads before being commonly worn in Kazakhstan during the cold harsh winters.
Shavkat Rakhmonov wears a traditional Kazakh headdress because it has significance to him.
He’s proud to be the first Kazakhstani fighter in the UFC and wants to represent the background and culture of his Kazakh ancestors who were hunters and nomads, much like himself in the UFC.