Shavkat Rakhmonov has started light training sessions following an extended layoff. Three months ago, the welterweight contender was walking on crutches after undergoing surgery.
Shavkat "Nomad" Rakhmonov has returned to light training, marking a significant step forward in his recovery from surgery that had left the unbeaten welterweight contender on crutches just three months ago.
Rakhmonov, 31, enters this stage of his comeback as one of the most closely watched fighters in the 170-pound division. The Kazakhstani standout carries a perfect 19-0-0 professional record and holds the number-three ranking at welterweight, making his return to full health a matter of considerable interest across the division. Standing six-foot-four with a 77-inch reach, he is an imposing physical presence, and his numbers inside the cage back up the reputation — he lands strikes at a 60 percent accuracy rate while averaging 3.25 significant strikes per minute. He also threatens consistently on the ground, averaging 1.4 takedowns and 1.2 submission attempts per 15 minutes, making him dangerous in virtually every area of the fight.
The timeline of his recovery underscores how serious the procedure was. Three months ago, Rakhmonov was relying on crutches to get around, which makes the transition back to even light training a meaningful milestone for the DAR Team product. The nature of the surgery has not been specified, but the extended layoff and the crutches suggest a significant lower-body procedure.
Why it matters
- Rakhmonov is ranked third at welterweight with an unblemished 19-0 record, meaning his return directly affects the division's top-contender picture.
- A fighter with his finishing ability and volume across striking and grappling creates matchmaking pressure at the top of the 170-pound weight class.
- The shift from crutches to light training in roughly three months signals the recovery is progressing, though a full return to competition remains a separate and later step.
