Shavkat Rakhmonov alarmed fans with a rehabilitation video showing him far from fighting condition. The undefeated welterweight has not competed in over 18 months, raising questions about his next return. Meanwhile, Caio Borralho traveled to South Africa to challenge Dricus Du Plessis, who responded by inviting him to spar at his gym. Du Plessis suggested Borralho could film and post the sparring footage, but dismissed the idea of a contract being in place. Borralho fired back, telling Du Plessis to "sign the contract" and stop acting like a child. Despite the social media exchange, insiders have reported that a Du Plessis vs Kamaru Usman fight is in development.
Shavkat Rakhmonov has raised concern among fans and followers after posting a rehabilitation video that showed the undefeated welterweight contender clearly not in fighting shape, adding further uncertainty to a comeback timeline that has already stretched beyond 18 months without a bout.
Rakhmonov, 31, enters this period of questions with a spotless 19-0-0 record and a number-three ranking in the welterweight division. The Kazakhstani fighter, who trains out of DAR Team, stands six-foot-four with a 77-inch reach and has built his reputation on relentless finishing ability. He lands 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 — a combination that makes him one of the most complete threats in the division.
Away from the welterweight picture, middleweight title contention is generating its own noise. Caio Borralho traveled to South Africa to confront champion Dricus Du Plessis directly, a move that prompted Du Plessis to invite the Brazilian to spar at his gym and even post the footage publicly. Du Plessis, however, dismissed any suggestion that a fight contract is currently in place.
Borralho responded bluntly, telling Du Plessis to sign the contract and stop acting like a child. The 33-year-old Brazilian carries an 18-2-0 record and sits fourth in the middleweight rankings, landing 3.44 significant strikes per minute at 56 percent accuracy while mixing in 1.28 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Du Plessis, ranked second in the division and seventh pound-for-pound at 32 years old, holds a 23-3-0 record. The South African fights out of Team CIT in a switch stance and produces one of the higher striking outputs in the division at 5.18 significant strikes per minute, complemented by 2.22 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Rakhmonov's extended absence puts his top-three welterweight ranking under growing pressure
- The Borralho-Du Plessis social media confrontation signals a title challenge is being pushed, even if a contract is not confirmed
- Reports of a Du Plessis vs. Kamaru Usman fight in development could complicate or delay any Borralho matchup entirely
