Shavkat Rakhmonov alarmed his fanbase by posting rehabilitation footage showing him far from fighting condition. The Kazakh welterweight contender has not competed in over a year and a half. Meanwhile, a confrontation developed between Caio Borralho and Dricus Du Plessis in South Africa, with Borralho challenging the champion and Du Plessis inviting him to spar at his gym. Du Plessis questioned why Borralho believes he deserves a title shot. Additionally, multiple insiders reported that a bout between Du Plessis and Kamaru Usman is being developed. The extended layoff for Rakhmonov raises questions about his return timeline and condition.
Shavkat Rakhmonov has sparked concern among fans after posting rehabilitation footage that suggested the undefeated Kazakh contender is still a significant distance from competitive readiness, extending what has already become an 18-month absence from the octagon.
Rakhmonov, 31, carries a perfect 19-0 record and sits third in the UFC welterweight rankings. Standing six-foot-four with a 77-inch reach, the orthodox striker from Kazakhstan is among the most physically imposing fighters in the division. His numbers reflect a genuinely dangerous all-around game — he lands 3.25 significant strikes per minute at a striking accuracy of 60 percent, while also averaging 1.4 takedowns and 1.2 submission attempts per 15 minutes. The extended layoff, now coupled with footage indicating an ongoing recovery, leaves his return timeline uncertain.
Meanwhile, a separate situation unfolded in the middleweight division when Caio Borralho traveled to South Africa and confronted reigning champion Dricus Du Plessis, openly calling for a title shot. Du Plessis, 32, holds a 23-3 record and is ranked second pound-for-pound at number seven. The South African is one of the busiest strikers in the sport, averaging 5.18 significant strikes per minute, and responded to Borralho's challenge by inviting him to spar at his gym while publicly questioning whether the Brazilian had earned a championship opportunity.
Borralho, 33 and fighting out of Brazil, is 18-2 and ranked fourth at middleweight. The southpaw averages 3.44 significant strikes per minute at 56 percent accuracy and has shown consistent grappling output with 1.28 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Adding another layer to the middleweight picture, multiple insiders — according to the summary, which has not been officially confirmed — have reported that a bout between Du Plessis and former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman is in development.
Why it matters
- Rakhmonov's prolonged absence and apparent physical condition cast doubt on when the welterweight top five will see one of its most dangerous members return
- The Borralho-Du Plessis confrontation in South Africa intensifies the middleweight title picture, with at least two credible challengers now in the frame
- An unconfirmed Du Plessis versus Usman matchup, if real, would reshuffle the division's contender queue entirely
