Shavkat Rakhmonov alarmed his fanbase by posting a rehabilitation video showing him far from fighting shape. The Kazakh fighter has not competed in over 18 months, raising concerns about his condition and timeline for return. Meanwhile, a social media exchange unfolded between Caio Borralho and Dricus Du Plessis, with Borralho traveling to South Africa to challenge the champion. Du Plessis invited him to spar at his gym, while Borralho urged him to sign a contract. Insiders also reported that a Du Plessis vs Kamaru Usman fight is being developed.
Unbeaten welterweight contender Shavkat Rakhmonov has drawn widespread concern from fans after posting a rehabilitation video to social media that showed him appearing far from fighting condition, deepening questions surrounding a layoff that has now stretched beyond 18 months.
Rakhmonov, 31, carries a perfect 19-0-0 record and is ranked third in the welterweight division. The Kazakh fighter out of DAR Team stands six-foot-four with a 77-inch reach and has built his reputation on a well-rounded game that combines sharp striking — landing 3.25 significant strikes per minute at a 60 percent accuracy rate — with consistent grappling, averaging 1.4 takedowns and 1.2 submission attempts per 15 minutes. The nature of his rehabilitation has not been officially confirmed, and no timeline for his return has been reported.
Separately, an unconfirmed social media back-and-forth has emerged at middleweight between champion Dricus Du Plessis and fourth-ranked contender Caio Borralho. According to reports, Borralho traveled to South Africa and invited Du Plessis to formalize their matchup by signing a contract, while Du Plessis responded by offering Borralho a sparring session at his gym. The exchange has not been officially acknowledged by either fighter's management or the UFC.
Du Plessis holds a 23-3-0 record and sits second in the middleweight rankings as well as seventh in the pound-for-pound standings. The 32-year-old South African is one of the division's most active strikers, averaging 5.18 significant strikes per minute. Borralho, 33, brings an 18-2-0 record and lands 3.44 significant strikes per minute at 56 percent accuracy, also averaging 1.28 takedowns per 15 minutes for The Fighting Nerds camp.
Why it matters
- Rakhmonov's extended absence leaves a significant gap in the welterweight top-five picture
- A Du Plessis vs. Borralho title fight remains unconfirmed but would be a meaningful matchup between the champion and a ranked southpaw contender
- Reports of a Du Plessis vs. Kamaru Usman development, if confirmed, could reshape the middleweight title picture entirely
