Shavkat Rakhmonov

Manager Ali Abdelaziz has declared that Belal Muhammad's mandatory challenger Ignacio Bahamondes rival and rising contender Carlos Prates is the rightful next opponent for UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, ruling out Joaquin Morales. Abdelaziz argued that Prates has earned his shot by defeating former champions Leon Edwards and Jack Maddalena, whereas Morales' most notable win came over Sean Brady, who sits outside the UFC top five. Makhachev himself urged Morales not to wait for a title shot and to stay active in the meantime. Abdelaziz added that the timeline for Shavkat Rakhmonov's return remains unclear and that the welterweight contender picture still needs sorting out.

Makhachev, Brady, Maddalena+3

Shavkat Rakhmonov has returned to sparring sessions, marking a step forward in his training camp. The Kazakh welterweight contender is back in the gym and working with his coaching team.

Shavkat Rakhmonov's physician Mikhail Markuart has indicated that the welterweight contender could be cleared to return to competition around the winter of 2027. The timeline suggests Rakhmonov is facing a lengthy recovery from his current medical situation.

The updated list of active unbeaten fighters — those inactive no more than two years, not retired, with more than ten wins in top promotions — features 32 competitors. Movlid Khaybulaev leads the list at 24-0-1-1NC, followed by Usman Nurmagomedov at 21-0-1NC and Movsar Evloev at 20-0. Among the newly updated records, Farid Basharat moved to 16-0 after defeating John Garza by unanimous decision at UFC 329, and Luke Riley improved to 14-0 following a first-round TKO of Kai Kamaka at the same event. Records are sourced from Tapology and cross-checked on Sherdog.

Pinto, Mokaev, Evloev+9

A new video roundup covers Artem Reznikov's final pre-fight training session and discussions around Alexander Shlemenko's recent remarks. Shavkat Rakhmonov's coach Eduard Bazrov and newly signed ACB fighter Zhasulan Akimzhan also appear in the episode, alongside coverage of Yusuf Raisov's grappling and a legal angle involving a potential altercation with Zaur Gadzhiev.

Shlemenko