Shavkat
Rakhmonov is finally hitting pads after months of recovery and
rehabilitation.
While Rakhmonov (19-0) was once widely considered the most
promising welterweight contender in the
Ultimate Fighting Championship, he has been sidelined for a
year and a half due to a knee injury. He was expected to challenge
then-champion Belal
Muhammad for the title in December 2024, but Muhammad withdrew
due to a bone infection. Rakhmonov went on to defeat Ian Garry
instead on the same card.
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Shavkat Rakhmonov resumes striking training as the unbeaten UFC
welterweight contender continues recovering from knee surgery
Rakhmonov allegedly went into the fight against Garry with a knee
injury that was aggravated. While “Nomad” was expected to recover
within a year, he was seen with a knee brace and crutches earlier
this year.
Furthermore, Rakhmonov’s manager subsequently confirmed that the
170-pound star had to undergo surgery this past January after
re-injuring his knee. He was expected to return in 9-10 months
after his surgery. The undefeated Kazakh was recently seen back in
training, doing light pad work. He is also still doing rehab work
for his left knee.
The welterweight title picture has drastically changed since
Rakhmonov last fought. Muhammad lost the title to Jack
Della Maddalena at UFC 315 last year. Former lightweight
champion Islam
Makhachev then moved up and dethroned Maddalena at UFC 322 this
past November. Makhachev is now scheduled to defend his title
against Garry at UFC 330 on Aug. 15 at Xfinity Mobile Arena in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Shavkat
Rakhmonov is back in training after undergoing knee surgery in
January 💪(via @Rakhmonov1994)
pic.twitter.com/3pOsnmf6S9— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS)
July 7, 2026
Shavkat
Rakhmonov getting in some knee rehab work(via @Rakhmonov1994)
https://t.co/YIWsplD6Dy
pic.twitter.com/mVyisBjh1Z— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS)
July 7, 2026