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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
This article first appeared at Recent News on Sherdog.com
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