Shavkat Rakhmonov Breaks Silence After Major Setback in Run for Undisputed Welterweight Title

Welterweight dark horse Shavkat Rakhmonov shares personal message regarding his latest injury after months of inactivity.

Shavkat Rakhmonov Breaks Silence After Major Setback in Run for Undisputed Welterweight Title

Shavkat Rakhmonov weighs in on recent injury scare (via MMA Mania)

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Shavkat Rakhmonov is widely regarded as one of the most dangerous contenders in the UFC welterweight division, holding an undefeated 19 – 0 record with 18 finishes. Despite his dominance at 170 pounds, he has been out of competition since 2024 due to injuries. However, Rakhmonov recently confirmed another knee injury that will sideline him for several more months during rehabilitation.

Rakhmonov made his UFC debut in 2020 with a dominant submission victory over Alex Oliveira at UFC 254, quickly establishing himself as a serious welterweight threat. He went on to defeat several ranked contenders while steadily climbing the division. His most recent fight came against Ian Garry at UFC 310 in December 2024, marking the first unanimous decision win of his professional career to date.

Following the bout against Garry, the Kazakh native suffered a knee injury that sidelined him for the entirety of 2025. He was most recently seen moving around on crutches, underscoring the seriousness of the issue. His manager, Danny Rubenstein, confirmed that ‘Nomad’ had re-injured the same knee and was forced to undergo surgery, which Rakhmonov recently addressed in a lengthy post.

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. 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.

Shavkat Rakhmonov via X

Recent times have been difficult for the welterweight contender, who has undergone multiple surgeries while away from competition. One of the most shocking incidents came last year when his wife, Gulayim Rakhmonova, and their son were involved in a serious car accident in Kazakhstan that resulted in two deaths. Both survived the crash but sustained injuries, compounding a challenging period for Rakhmonov.

In addition to his knee troubles, Rakhmonov has faced other significant setbacks, including a serious ankle injury shortly before UFC 296. He competed against Stephen Thompson while managing a torn ankle ligament that occurred about six weeks before the fight, forcing adjustments during training. The injury limited his ability to use kicks effectively but he still secured a second‑round submission victory.

Before his injury troubles, Shavkat Rakhmonov had been an active contender for the UFC welterweight title with dominant performances. However, since his last fight, the division has seen new contenders rise and a new champion crowned in Islam Makhachev. His prolonged absence has shifted the landscape, leaving him with the challenge of reclaiming his place in the title race.

Shavkat Rakhmonov diminishes Ian Garry’s title shot callout

Ian Garry has quickly bounced back from the first loss of his professional career against Shavkat Rakhmonov, securing victories over Carlos Prates and former champion Belal Muhammad at UFC Qatar in his last two outings. These wins have helped him regain momentum in the division and reestablish himself as a top contender. Since then, the Irishman has been vocal about his desire for a title shot.

Shavkat Rakhmonov calls out Ian Garry's title shot callout
Shavkat Rakhmonov calls out Ian Garry’s title shot callout (via MMA Mania)

Rakhmonov has finished all of his previous opponents dominantly, earning a reputation as one of the most dangerous fighters. However, in the fight against Garry, he appeared slightly vulnerable when the Irishman caught him in a choke hold that nearly forced a submission. Despite that moment, Rakhmonov had some factual points to make when Garry called for a title shot following his UFC Qatar victory

No trash talk, just facts: Ian Garry lost to me while I was injured. He hasn’t finished anyone in his last six fights, and Prates nearly stopped him. Doesn’t sound like a #1 contender to me.

Shavkat Rakhmonov via X

The UFC welterweight division continues to evolve, with recent title shot contenders including Michael Morales, after his UFC 322 knockout of Sean Brady, and Kamaru Usman, chosen by Islam Makhachev for his first defense. While Garry has regained momentum, Shavkat Rakhmonov’s undefeated record and dominant finishes still command respect. Their return will determine if they can reclaim top spots in the division.

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