Shavkat Rakhmonov’s recent rehab clip—crutches, knee brace and all—has reignited questions about the unbeaten welterweight’s ability to bounce back in the UFC.
Fan outcry over recovery footage
Social media blew up when ‘Nomad’ shared Instagram Stories of his knee rehab, with supporters lamenting visible muscle loss and atrophy. Rakhmonov, 29, was visibly struggling to put weight on his leg, prompting comments like “he’s lost too much strength” and “I’m not sure he’ll ever look the same.” His removal from the UFC welterweight rankings in February only compounds worries that the division has moved on during his enforced absence.
Shavkat Rakhmonov getting in some knee rehab work 💪
(via @Rakhmonov1994) pic.twitter.com/zAHxjyvRKh
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) April 29, 2026
Impact on title aspirations
After defeating Neil Magny in a title eliminator at UFC Fight Night last June, Rakhmonov was earmarked for a championship bout before Belal Muhammad’s withdrawal opened the door. A fresh knee injury in February scuppered his bid for an early-2026 comeback, derailing plans for a headline slot at a major UFC pay-per-view. With Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria now headlining upcoming cards, Rakhmonov risks falling further behind in the title race.
Road to redemption
Despite the online negativity, Rakhmonov’s camp insists the setback is temporary and that full recovery is possible with modern sports medicine. Rehabilitation specialists stress that well-managed programmes can restore elite fighters to peak condition, even after serious knee damage. The UFC may wait for clear medical clearance before rebooking him, but fans remain eager for news of ‘Nomad’s’ next training milestone.
As the welterweight landscape evolves without him, all eyes are on Shavkat Rakhmonov’s journey back to the Octagon and whether one of the UFC’s brightest prospects can overcome his toughest test yet.
FAQ
When is Shavkat Rakhmonov expected to return to the UFC?
Rakhmonov initially targeted an early 2026 comeback but suffered a fresh knee injury in February. His team now points to late 2026, pending successful rehabilitation and medical clearance.
Why was Rakhmonov removed from the UFC welterweight rankings?
The undefeated contender was dropped in February after a prolonged layoff caused by significant knee injuries, halting his ascent toward a title shot.
Who did Rakhmonov defeat in his last UFC fight?
He scored a stoppage win over Neil Magny in a title eliminator at UFC Fight Night last June when Belal Muhammad withdrew from their scheduled bout.
How does his absence affect the UFC welterweight division?
With Rakhmonov sidelined, fighters like Colby Covington, Ian Garry and Belal Muhammad have seized the spotlight, reshaping the contender landscape in his absence.