Shavkat Rakhmonov is planning to have his next UFC bout closer to the end of this year. The fighter continues to undergo a lengthy rehabilitation course following a knee injury and subsequent surgeries. If he returns in December as planned, Rakhmonov's layoff will total exactly two years. The post expresses hope that this timeline will work out for the Kazakh welterweight contender.
Shavkat Rakhmonov has set his sights on a return to the UFC octagon before the end of 2026, with a December comeback the target as he works through an extended rehabilitation following knee surgery.
The undefeated Kazakh welterweight, ranked third in the division, has been sidelined for what will amount to roughly two years by the time he is expected to compete again. Rakhmonov, who turns 31 this year and trains out of DAR Team, carries a perfect 19-0-0 professional record into his recovery. Standing six-foot-four with a 77-inch reach, "Nomad" has built his reputation as one of the most complete threats in the welterweight division, landing significant strikes at a 60 percent accuracy rate while also averaging 1.4 takedowns and 1.2 submission attempts per 15 minutes of action — a combination that makes him dangerous in virtually every phase of a fight.
Why it matters
- A healthy Rakhmonov re-entering the top-five welterweight picture at No. 3 immediately reshapes the title contender conversation.
- His two-year absence means any return bout will carry significant buzz regardless of opponent.
- The mix of elite striking accuracy and consistent grappling output gives matchmakers a wide range of stylistically compelling options when building his comeback fight.
The December timeline remains contingent on the progress of his rehabilitation, and no opponent or official booking has been announced. Should everything go according to plan, the welterweight division will welcome back one of its most unbeaten and feared contenders to close out the year.
