Shavkat Rakhmonov alarmed his fans by posting a video from rehabilitation showing him far from fighting condition. The Kazakh welterweight has not competed inside the octagon for more than a year and a half. Meanwhile, the post also mentions ongoing social media exchanges between Dricus Du Plessis and Caio Borralho, with Du Plessis challenging Borralho to spar at his gym in South Africa. Additionally, insiders have reported that a fight between Du Plessis and Kamaru Usman is being developed, though no official confirmation has been made.
Shavkat Rakhmonov has raised concerns among fans after posting a video of himself in rehabilitation, signaling he remains far from fight-ready. The undefeated Kazakh welterweight has now gone more than 18 months without competing inside the octagon, and the footage suggests a return is not imminent.
Rakhmonov, 31, carries a perfect 19-0-0 record and is ranked third in the welterweight division. Standing six-foot-four with a 77-inch reach, the orthodox fighter from Kazakhstan is one of the most dangerous prospects in the 170-pound class. He lands 3.25 significant strikes per minute at a 60 percent accuracy rate — among the highest in the division — and also threatens with 1.4 takedowns and 1.2 submission attempts per 15 minutes, making him a complete threat across all phases of combat.
Separately, middleweight activity is heating up through social media. Former champion Dricus Du Plessis, ranked second at 185 pounds with a 23-3-0 record, publicly challenged fourth-ranked Caio Borralho to spar at Du Plessis's gym in South Africa. The 32-year-old South African switches stances and averages an aggressive 5.18 significant strikes per minute, while also mixing in 2.22 takedowns per 15 minutes. Borralho, a 33-year-old Brazilian fighting out of The Fighting Nerds, holds an 18-2-0 record and connects at 56 percent striking accuracy with 3.44 significant strikes landed per minute.
Beyond the sparring callout, insiders have reportedly indicated that a fight between Du Plessis and former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman is in development, though no official announcement has been made.
Why it matters
- Rakhmonov's extended absence leaves the welterweight top five unsettled, with the third-ranked contender's timeline now unclear.
- Du Plessis and Borralho trading public challenges raises the possibility of a middleweight top-five clash.
- A rumored Du Plessis vs. Usman matchup would carry significant divisional weight given both men's elite résumés.
