Shavkat Rakhmonov has not fought since December 2024, ever since he defeated Ian Machado Garry by an outstanding unanimous decision at UFC 310. The win served as his ticket to the front of the title at 170 pounds, but it also came at a cost.
He entered the arena dealing with a knee injury, and it worsened across five rounds, with the injury blocking him from a title shot.
Ever since, the situation has only become complicated. He had a major setback early in 2026, which he underwent another surgery in January.
Rakhmonov has been keeping his progress low-key during recovery. A recent post from X shows him going through drills as he rebuilds muscle strength in the injured knee.
Watch his rehabilitation process here
https://x.com/ChampRDS/status/2049559631693746418
Focus on a late return
Rakhmonov’s comeback is still uncertain. His team is hoping for a return in late 2026, though it remains unclear if this will . When he returns, he is expected to re-enter the mix near the top of the rankings.
When will Shavkat Rakhmonov return? Drop some comments below