Shavkat Rakhmonov's physician Mikhail Markuart has indicated that the welterweight contender could be cleared to return to competition around the winter of 2027. The timeline suggests Rakhmonov is facing a lengthy recovery from his current medical situation.
Shavkat Rakhmonov faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines after his physician, Mikhail Markuart, indicated the undefeated welterweight contender could be cleared to return to competition around the winter of 2027.
Rakhmonov, known as "Nomad," carries a perfect 19-0-0 professional record and is currently ranked third in the UFC's welterweight division. The 31-year-old from Kazakhstan stands six-foot-four with a 77-inch reach and fights out of an orthodox stance with DAR Team. His resume is built on a complete skill set — he lands 3.25 significant strikes per minute at a striking accuracy of 60 percent, while also threatening consistently on the ground with 1.4 takedowns and 1.2 submission attempts per 15 minutes. Those numbers place him among the most dangerous all-around fighters in the 170-pound weight class.
The statement from his doctor suggests Rakhmonov's current medical situation is serious enough to sideline him for an extended period. No further details about the nature of the condition have been disclosed beyond Markuart's projected timeline.
Why it matters
- Rakhmonov's absence removes the division's top-ranked unbeaten contender from the welterweight picture for the foreseeable future.
- A return around winter 2027 would represent well over a year away from competition, potentially reshaping the title contender queue at 170 pounds.
- His combination of elite striking efficiency and consistent grappling output means the welterweight landscape loses one of its most complete stylistic threats during this period.
- How the division reshuffles around his absence will be a key storyline for welterweight matchmaking in the months ahead.
