Shavkat Rakhmonov will not compete at any point in 2026 as he continues to recover from injury. The welterweight contender is tentatively expected to be ready to return in 2027.
Shavkat Rakhmonov's return to the welterweight division has been pushed back significantly, with the undefeated Kazakh contender confirmed out of action for the entirety of 2026 as he continues to recover from injury. A comeback is tentatively penciled in for sometime in 2027.
Rakhmonov, known as "Nomad," is one of the most dangerous fighters in the welterweight division. The 31-year-old carries a perfect 19-0-0 record and holds the number-three ranking at 170 pounds. Standing six-foot-four with a 77-inch reach, the DAR Team product is a physically imposing orthodox fighter who combines genuine finishing ability across multiple disciplines. He lands 3.25 significant strikes per minute at a striking accuracy of 60 percent, while also averaging 1.4 takedowns and 1.2 submission attempts per 15 minutes — numbers that reflect just how complete a threat he poses on the ground and on the feet.
Why it matters
- Rakhmonov's absence removes the division's third-ranked contender from the picture for at least 18 months, creating a significant gap in the welterweight title picture.
- Any fighter climbing the rankings in 2026 will do so without the prospect of facing one of the division's most feared competitors, which could affect how title contendership shakes out.
- When Rakhmonov does return in 2027, still unbeaten, he will likely re-enter with high expectations given his ranking and unblemished record.
