Shavkat Rakhmonov alarmed his fanbase by posting a rehabilitation video showing him far from fighting condition. The Kazakh welterweight has not competed in the Octagon for more than a year and a half, raising questions about his readiness to return. Meanwhile, Caio Borralho traveled to South Africa to challenge Dricus Du Plessis, leading to a social media exchange where Du Plessis invited Borralho to spar at his gym and told him to stop acting childish about contract negotiations. Insiders have reported that a potential Du Plessis versus Kamaru Usman fight is being developed.
Undefeated welterweight contender Shavkat Rakhmonov has drawn concern from fans after posting a rehabilitation video that showed him well short of fighting shape, deepening uncertainty around his return following an absence of more than 18 months from the Octagon.
Rakhmonov, 31, carries a perfect 19-0 record and is ranked third in the welterweight division for the UFC. The Kazakh fighter, who trains out of DAR Team, stands six-foot-four with a 77-inch reach and has built his reputation on a relentless finishing style. He lands 3.25 significant strikes per minute at a 60 percent accuracy rate — one of the sharpest marks in the division — and adds consistent grappling danger with 1.4 takedowns and 1.2 submission attempts per 15 minutes. His extended layoff had already drawn scrutiny, and the rehabilitation footage has only intensified questions about his timeline.
Separately, a reported situation is developing at middleweight involving two of the division's top contenders. Brazilian contender Caio Borralho, ranked fourth at 185 pounds and carrying an 18-2 record, traveled to South Africa, which prompted a social media response from second-ranked Dricus Du Plessis. The South African champion — who holds a 23-3 record and sits seventh in the pound-for-pound rankings — reportedly invited Borralho to spar at his gym while telling him to stop being childish over contract negotiations. Du Plessis, who switches stances and produces a high-volume 5.18 significant strikes per minute, has not been shy about engaging rivals publicly. Borralho, a southpaw who lands at 56 percent striking accuracy and mixes in 1.28 takedowns per 15 minutes, appears eager to force the issue.
Why it matters
- Rakhmonov's physical condition puts his status as the third-ranked welterweight contender in question and could affect the division's title picture.
- The Du Plessis-Borralho tension, reported but unconfirmed, suggests a potential title fight is being negotiated rather than simply made.
- Insiders have also flagged a possible Du Plessis versus Kamaru Usman fight in development, which could complicate or bypass any Borralho title push entirely.
