Shavkat Rakhmonov has started light training sessions following a prolonged layoff. He was on crutches three months ago after undergoing surgery.
Unbeaten welterweight contender Shavkat "Nomad" Rakhmonov has resumed light training, marking a significant step in his recovery from surgery that left him on crutches just three months ago.
Rakhmonov, 31, enters this rehabilitation phase carrying a perfect 19-0-0 professional record and sits ranked third in the UFC welterweight division. The Kazakhstani fighter, who trains with 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 weight class. His striking accuracy sits at an impressive 60 percent, and he supplements his stand-up game with 1.4 takedowns and 1.2 submission attempts per 15 minutes, making him a threat across all phases of a fight.
Why it matters
- Rakhmonov is the third-ranked welterweight, meaning any return puts him squarely in title contention conversations
- A full recovery and return to competition could reshape the top of a welterweight division already in flux
- His well-rounded skill set — sharp striking volume at 3.25 significant strikes landed per minute combined with a consistent submission threat — makes him a matchup problem for anyone at 170 pounds
- The timeline of his recovery will be a key factor in when the UFC can realistically slot him back into a high-profile bout
The light training sessions represent only the earliest stage of his comeback, and the move from crutches to the gym in three months suggests the recovery is progressing on a reasonable schedule.
