Shavkat Rakhmonov posted a rehabilitation video that alarmed his fans, as he appears far from fighting condition in the footage. The Kazakh welterweight contender has not competed in the octagon for over 18 months, making this extended absence particularly concerning for his supporters. Meanwhile, Caio Borralho traveled to South Africa to call out Dricus Du Plessis, prompting a back-and-forth exchange between the fighters. Du Plessis invited Borralho to spar at his gym and challenged him to post the footage, while Borralho responded by telling the champion to sign a contract. Multiple insiders have also reported that UFC is working on a potential bout between Du Plessis and Kamaru Usman.
Shavkat Rakhmonov has drawn concerned reactions from fans after posting a rehabilitation video that suggests the unbeaten Kazakh contender remains a significant distance from fighting shape, compounding worries around an absence from the octagon that has now stretched beyond 18 months.
Rakhmonov, known as "Nomad," carries a perfect 19-0-0 record and is ranked third in the UFC welterweight division. The 31-year-old from Kazakhstan stands six-foot-four with a 77-inch reach and has built his reputation on a suffocating all-around game — landing 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. That combination of finishing threats has made his extended layoff one of the more watched storylines in the 170-pound division.
Separate from Rakhmonov's situation, middleweight champion Dricus Du Plessis found himself in a public back-and-forth after Brazilian contender Caio Borralho traveled to South Africa specifically to call him out. Du Plessis, ranked second at middleweight and seventh pound-for-pound with a 23-3-0 record, invited Borralho to spar at his gym and challenged him to make the footage public. Borralho, ranked fourth in the division at 18-2-0, countered by telling the 32-year-old South African champion to sign a contract instead. Du Plessis averages 5.18 significant strikes per minute and adds 2.22 takedowns per 15 minutes, while Borralho — a southpaw who fights out of The Fighting Nerds — connects at 56 percent accuracy and contributes consistent grappling pressure of his own.
Why it matters
- Rakhmonov's prolonged absence and uncertain physical condition create a void at the top of a welterweight division where he is a leading title contender.
- The Borralho-Du Plessis confrontation signals growing pressure on the middleweight title picture, with the fourth-ranked contender actively pursuing a shot.
- Multiple insiders have reported the UFC is separately working on a potential matchup between Du Plessis and Kamaru Usman, which could affect when or whether Borralho gets his opportunity.
