Dhant prepares to block Murdoch’s social media jabs with real punches in Shanghai

The upcoming bantamweight bout in Shanghai between Nepal's Rabindra Dhant and New Zealand's Kasib Murdoch is more than just a fight for a UFC contract; it's a clash fueled by escalating trash talk. Murdoch, undefeated at 8-0, has been relentlessly taunting Dhant, questioning his bravery and predicting a dominant win.

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I am fighting Mr Dhant from Nepal. I’m actually very excited about this fight.

Murdoch's taunts began after his May 28 victory, where he called out Dhant, who had secured his own semi-final spot earlier that day. "I think he was scared," Murdoch stated, referencing a past refusal by Dhant to fight. He has since intensified his verbal attacks, claiming he will "absolutely smash" Dhant and "run through him." Murdoch even posted a provocative image of himself holding Nepal's flag, captioning it, "The king of Nepal is coming to Shanghai."

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I got asked to fight him [Dhant]…in Bali…about a year ago, and he turned me down for whatever reason. I think he was scared.

Dhant's camp has responded with measured defiance. His coach and manager, Diwiz Piya, posted a video of Dhant and another fighter sipping coffee, with Piya commenting, "You know what happens to ‘Kings’ in Nepal," a subtle nod to the country's abolished monarchy. Dhant, known for his quiet demeanor and rugged background, has yet to respond directly to Murdoch's provocations, suggesting he prefers to settle the score in the octagon. His journey from manual labor to becoming Nepal's top fighter is a source of inspiration, with his trainers at Soma Fight Club expressing full confidence in his abilities.

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I just re-watched his fight. So I’m pretty confident going to this. He got dropped by a flyweight Filipino…I think I’m going to absolutely smash him. I’m going to run through him.