Shavkat Rakhmonov is planning to return to the UFC octagon toward the end of 2026 after undergoing knee surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation process. The undefeated welterweight contender continues to recover from his knee injury and multiple operations. If he fights in December as planned, his layoff will total exactly two years since his last appearance. Rakhmonov remains one of the top contenders in the welterweight division despite the extended absence. The post expresses hope that this timeline will materialize for the Kazakh fighter.
Shavkat Rakhmonov has set his sights on a return to the UFC octagon before the end of 2026, with the undefeated welterweight contender targeting a December appearance following a prolonged recovery from knee surgery and multiple operations.
Rakhmonov, 31, holds a perfect 19-0-0 professional record and is currently ranked third in the welterweight division. The Kazakh fighter, who trains out of DAR Team, stands six-foot-four with a 77-inch reach and has built his reputation as one of the most dangerous finishers in the 170-pound class. 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 — a combination that makes him a genuine threat across all areas of the cage. If he competes in December as planned, the layoff will stretch to exactly two years since his last octagon appearance.
Why it matters
- Rakhmonov is the third-ranked welterweight, and a return would immediately shake up title contention at 170 pounds
- A two-year absence makes his first fight back a significant proving ground, even for an undefeated fighter
- His well-rounded skill set — elite striking accuracy paired with active submission attempts — presents a complex stylistic problem for any opponent in the division
- The welterweight title picture could look very different by December, giving his return added stakes depending on how the division develops
The timeline has not yet been confirmed by the UFC, but Rakhmonov's camp has expressed optimism that the December target will hold as his rehabilitation from the knee procedures continues.
