Shavkat Rakhmonov alarmed his fans by posting rehabilitation video that showed him far from fighting condition. The Kazakh welterweight has not competed in over 18 months, raising questions about his return timeline. Meanwhile, Caio Borralho traveled to South Africa to challenge Dricus Du Plessis, leading to a social media exchange where Du Plessis invited him to spar at his gym. Borralho responded by telling Du Plessis to sign a contract, while Du Plessis questioned why Borralho would be in title negotiations. Insiders also reported development of a potential Du Plessis versus Kamaru Usman fight.
Undefeated Kazakh welterweight Shavkat Rakhmonov has drawn concern from the MMA community after posting rehabilitation footage that suggested he remains well short of fighting shape, with the 31-year-old now sitting more than 18 months removed from his last competitive bout.
Rakhmonov, ranked third in the welterweight division, carries a perfect 19-0 record and has long been considered one of the sport's most dangerous prospects. Standing six-foot-four with a 77-inch reach, the orthodox fighter from Kazakhstan averages 3.25 significant strikes per minute at a remarkable 60 percent accuracy, while also posing a constant grappling threat with 1.4 takedowns and 1.2 submission attempts per 15 minutes. The lengthy layoff and the nature of the rehabilitation video have left fans uncertain about when — or whether — he will return to competition in the near future.
Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, a heated social media exchange has emerged in the middleweight division. Caio Borralho, ranked fourth at 185 pounds and holding an 18-2 record, traveled to South Africa, prompting a back-and-forth with former champion Dricus Du Plessis. Du Plessis extended an invitation for Borralho to spar at his gym, but Borralho fired back by telling the South African to sign a contract instead. Du Plessis, ranked second in the division with a 23-3 record, responded by questioning why Borralho would even be involved in title negotiations.
The 32-year-old Du Plessis, who averages an aggressive 5.18 significant strikes per minute, also finds himself at the center of separate reports linking him to a potential fight with Kamaru Usman, according to insiders familiar with the situation.
Why it matters
- Rakhmonov's rehabilitation raises serious questions about the welterweight division's top-contender picture given his extended absence
- The Borralho-Du Plessis social media confrontation signals a genuine rivalry developing at middleweight, with title positioning at stake for both men
- A potential Du Plessis versus Usman matchup would carry enormous divisional and pound-for-pound implications at 185 pounds
