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 remains in recovery mode and not yet in fighting condition. If he returns in December as planned, his layoff will total exactly two years since his last fight. The extended absence could impact his standing in the highly competitive welterweight division. Rakhmonov was considered a rising title contender before the injury derailed his momentum.
Shavkat Rakhmonov has set his sights on a return to the octagon in late 2026 as he works through the rehabilitation process following a knee injury that required surgery, keeping the undefeated welterweight contender sidelined for an extended stretch.
Rakhmonov, 31, carries a perfect 19-0-0 professional record and currently holds the number-three ranking in the UFC welterweight division. The Kazakhstani fighter, who competes out of DAR Team and stands six-foot-four with a 77-inch reach, was firmly established as one of the sport's most dangerous title contenders before the injury intervened. His game blends volume striking with a relentless finishing instinct — he lands 3.25 significant strikes per minute at a 60 percent accuracy rate while also generating 1.4 takedowns and 1.2 submission attempts per 15 minutes, a combination that made him a nightmare matchup for anyone in the 170-pound class. If he steps back into competition in December as targeted, he will have been away from competition for exactly two years.
Why it matters
- A two-year layoff is a significant interruption for a fighter ranked third in one of the UFC's most talent-dense divisions.
- Rakhmonov's undefeated record and finishing ability had him on a clear trajectory toward a welterweight title shot before the injury.
- His return timeline means the top of the division could look very different by the time he is active again, with potential ranking movement affecting where he slots in.
- The style matchup possibilities at 170 pounds remain compelling given his rare ability to threaten equally on the feet and on the ground.
