Shavkat Rakhmonov posted a rehabilitation video that alarmed his fanbase, as he appears far from fight condition in the footage. The Kazakh welterweight contender has now been out of action for over 18 months, his longest layoff since joining the UFC. Meanwhile, a social media exchange erupted between middleweight contender Caio Borralho and champion Dricus Du Plessis after Borralho traveled to South Africa to challenge the champion. Du Plessis responded by inviting Borralho to spar at his gym, with the Brazilian declining and urging the champion to sign a contract instead. Multiple insiders have reported that UFC is developing a title fight between Du Plessis and Kamaru Usman.
A rehabilitation video posted by undefeated welterweight contender Shavkat Rakhmonov has sparked concern among fans, with the footage suggesting the Kazakh fighter remains a significant distance from full fight condition after more than 18 months away from competition.
Rakhmonov, 31, carries a perfect 19-0 record and holds the number-three ranking in the welterweight division. Standing six-foot-four with a 77-inch reach, the orthodox striker from Kazakhstan trains out of DAR Team and has built his unbeaten reputation on a well-rounded game that combines 60 percent striking accuracy with consistent grappling pressure — averaging 1.4 takedowns and 1.2 submission attempts per 15 minutes. The current layoff is the longest of his UFC career, and the nature of the rehabilitation footage has left supporters uncertain about when he might return to the octagon.
Elsewhere in the promotion, a public back-and-forth between middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis and fourth-ranked contender Caio Borralho drew attention after Borralho traveled to South Africa to personally confront the titleholder. Du Plessis, a 32-year-old South African who holds a 23-3 record and sits seventh in the pound-for-pound rankings, responded by inviting Borralho to spar at his gym. Borralho, a 33-year-old Brazilian fighting out of The Fighting Nerds with an 18-2 record and 56 percent striking accuracy, declined the invitation and pushed Du Plessis to sign a contract instead.
Why it matters
- Multiple insiders have reported, though nothing is officially confirmed, that the UFC is developing a middleweight title fight between Du Plessis and former champion Kamaru Usman, which could affect where Borralho fits in the divisional queue.
- Rakhmonov's extended absence leaves the welterweight top five unsettled, with the division's only unbeaten contender carrying an uncertain timeline.
- The Du Plessis and Borralho exchange reflects a brewing rivalry that may pressure the UFC to formally schedule the matchup regardless of the reported Usman negotiation.
