Shavkat Rakhmonov is planning his next UFC fight for late 2026 as he continues rehabilitation from a knee injury and surgeries. The undefeated welterweight contender is undergoing an extended recovery process. If he returns in December as anticipated, his layoff will total exactly two years since his last appearance. The post expresses hope that this timeline will work out for the Kazakh fighter's comeback.
Shavkat "Nomad" Rakhmonov is targeting a return to the UFC octagon in late 2026 as he works through an extended rehabilitation following knee surgery, with a December comeback representing a two-year absence from competition.
The undefeated Kazakh standout enters this recovery period as one of the most dangerous contenders in the welterweight division. Ranked third at 170 pounds, Rakhmonov holds a perfect 19-0-0 record and has built a reputation as a finishing machine at 31 years old. Standing six-foot-four with a 77-inch reach, the DAR Team product brings elite tools to the octagon, landing significant strikes at a rate of 3.25 per minute with a striking accuracy of 60 percent. He also adds a consistent threat on the ground, averaging 1.4 takedowns and 1.2 submission attempts per 15 minutes.
His last octagon appearance came in December 2024, and should the anticipated return timeline hold, Rakhmonov will have sat out exactly two full years before stepping back into competition.
Why it matters
- Rakhmonov is ranked third in the welterweight division, meaning his return will carry immediate title implications
- A two-year layoff is significant for any fighter, and his first bout back will face scrutiny regardless of opponent
- His combination of striking volume, accuracy, and submission threat makes him a uniquely dangerous contender for any welterweight in the rankings
