Shavkat Rakhmonov has opened up about competing at UFC 310 against Ian Machado Garry while carrying a meniscus tear, an ACL injury, and a swollen leg — injuries so severe he says he should not have fought at all. Despite the setbacks, he defeated Machado Garry by decision in a No. 1 contender bout and has not competed since. Rakhmonov also took aim at fellow contenders, stating that fighters from Dagestan such as Khabib Nurmagomedov or current welterweight champion Islam Makhachev would have pulled out under the same circumstances. He remains uncertain about whether or when he will return to action.
Shavkat Rakhmonov has revealed that he entered his UFC 310 bout against Ian Machado Garry while suffering from a torn meniscus, a torn ACL, and a swollen leg — injuries he now admits were severe enough that he should never have stepped into the cage.
The undefeated Kazakh welterweight, known as "Nomad," earned a decision victory over Machado Garry in what was billed as a No. 1 contender bout, but the full extent of the physical toll he endured only became clear after the fact. Rakhmonov, 31, carries a perfect 19-0-0 record and has established himself as one of the most dangerous fighters in the welterweight division. Standing six-foot-four with a 77-inch reach, he combines elite finishing ability with a striking accuracy of 60 percent, averaging 3.25 significant strikes per minute alongside 1.2 submission attempts per 15 minutes.
In his comments, Rakhmonov also directed pointed remarks at fighters from Dagestan, specifically naming retired legend Khabib Nurmagomedov and current welterweight champion Islam Makhachev, suggesting they would have withdrawn from competition under the same circumstances. Nurmagomedov, 37, retired with a 29-0-0 record and remains one of the sport's most decorated figures. Makhachev, 34, holds a 29-1-0 record and currently sits atop the welterweight division, ranked number one pound-for-pound.
Despite the win at UFC 310, Rakhmonov has not competed since and expressed uncertainty about when he will be ready to return.
Why it matters
- Rakhmonov's injury disclosure raises questions about his timeline back to competition and his pursuit of the welterweight title.
- His callout of Makhachev adds a charged personal dimension to what was already a compelling potential championship matchup.
- A long layoff following the Garry win could affect his standing as the division's top contender.
