Shavkat Rakhmonov alarmed his fans by posting a rehabilitation video showing him far from fighting condition. The Kazakh welterweight has not competed in over 18 months, making his current physical state particularly concerning to supporters. Meanwhile, insiders report that a fight between Dricus Du Plessis and Kamaru Usman is being developed, following a public exchange where Du Plessis dismissed Caio Borralho's challenge by inviting him to spar instead. Du Plessis told Borralho that his name isn't even part of current title negotiations.
Shavkat Rakhmonov has raised alarm among his fanbase after posting a rehabilitation video that showed the undefeated Kazakh welterweight far from fighting shape, adding fresh uncertainty to a career that has already been on hold for more than 18 months.
Rakhmonov, 31, carries a perfect 19-0-0 record and holds the third-ranked position in the welterweight division. Standing six-foot-four with a 77-inch reach, the orthodox fighter from Kazakhstan is one of the most feared competitors in the 170-pound class, landing 3.25 significant strikes per minute at a remarkable 60 percent accuracy while also averaging 1.4 takedowns and 1.2 submission attempts per 15 minutes. The lengthy layoff alone had already tested the patience of supporters, and the rehabilitation footage has only deepened those concerns.
Elsewhere in the news, the middleweight title picture is taking shape around a matchup between Dricus Du Plessis and Kamaru Usman, with insiders reporting that the bout is being actively developed. Du Plessis, 32, holds a 23-3-0 record and sits second in the middleweight rankings with a pound-for-pound ranking of seventh. The South African fights out of a switch stance and is one of the division's highest-volume strikers, averaging 5.18 significant strikes per minute alongside 2.22 takedowns per 15 minutes. Du Plessis publicly dismissed the title ambitions of fourth-ranked Caio Borralho, inviting the Brazilian to spar rather than negotiate and stating that Borralho's name is not part of current title talks.
Borralho, 33, carries an 18-2-0 record and has steadily built his case at 185 pounds, landing 3.44 significant strikes per minute at 56 percent accuracy for Team The Fighting Nerds out of Brazil.
Why it matters
- Rakhmonov's rehabilitation timeline could affect the entire welterweight top-five, given his unbeaten record and third-place ranking.
- A Du Plessis versus Usman fight would carry massive stakes at middleweight, with the division's second-ranked champion-level contender involved.
- Borralho's public snub by Du Plessis leaves the fourth-ranked middleweight in limbo despite his strong record and consistent ranking.
