Despite another major injury setback, Shavkat Rakhmonov has not walked away from his championship ambitions.
Over the weekend, footage surfaced of the undefeated welterweight contender wearing a knee brace while attending a regional MMA event. Soon after, reports confirmed that Rakhmonov had re-injured his knee, a development that will keep him sidelined for an additional nine to 10 months.
Rakhmonov has not competed since December 2024, when he earned a hard-fought five-round decision over Ian Machado Garry at UFC 310. That victory positioned the 31-year-old Kazakh standout for a potential title shot against then-champion Belal Muhammad at UFC 315. However, a knee injury derailed those plans and forced him out of contention.
Now, with another surgery behind him, Rakhmonov likely will not return to the Octagon until late 2026 at the earliest. Still, the welterweight contender remains defiant.
“A fighter’s path has never been easy,” Rakhmonov wrote in a statement shared on social media. “Life doesn’t give us challenges we can’t overcome. Every dream comes at a price, and sometimes that price is your health. Today, I have to be honest. Due to ongoing injuries, I’ve had another surgery and will need time to fully recover. As a result, my return to the Octagon will be postponed.”
“It’s not easy to accept, but I truly believe every setback is part of a bigger plan,” Rakhmonov added. “I will come back stronger, smarter and hungrier than ever. My goal is still alive. The UFC belt still has to come to Kazakhstan. Thank you to everyone who stands by me no matter what. This is not the end of the journey. It’s an important chapter of it.”
Rakhmonov remains unbeaten at 19-0, including seven wins inside the UFC. His decision victory over Garry stands as the lone fight in which he failed to secure a finish. Before the injuries, many viewed him as the most dangerous threat in the division, similar to how Pimblett has drawn attention in the lightweight ranks with his momentum and personality.
With Rakhmonov sidelined, the welterweight title picture shifted dramatically. Jack Della Maddalena stepped in to face Muhammad, captured the belt, and later dropped it to Islam Makhachev after the lightweight champion moved up to 170 pounds.
Makhachev now waits to book his first welterweight title defence, knowing Rakhmonov is no longer an immediate option. There is no official timetable for Rakhmonov’s return, but expectations point toward late 2026 or early 2027.
