Makhachev Open to Fighting Rakhmonov: 'Let Him Recover and Come'

Islam Makhachev has made clear he is open to a future fight with Shavkat Rakhmonov, responding publicly to comments in which Rakhmonov suggested he deserved a welterweight title shot ahead of other contenders. The champion told Rakhmonov to recover from whatever is keeping him sidelined and come back ready for the fight.

Makhachev, 34, currently holds the welterweight championship and sits at the top of the pound-for-pound rankings with a record of 29-1. The Russian southpaw, who trains with Eagles MMA, is one of the division's most active grapplers, averaging 3.22 takedowns per 15 minutes and landing significant strikes at a 58 percent accuracy rate. His dominance at the top of the division has made him a target for every contender looking to make a name at 170 pounds.

Rakhmonov, 31, enters the conversation with an unblemished professional record of 19-0 and a reputation as one of the most dangerous finishers in the welterweight division. The Kazakh orthodox fighter, who stands six-foot-four with a 77-inch reach, has built his record on relentless pressure, landing 3.25 significant strikes per minute at 60 percent accuracy while also mixing in 1.4 takedowns and 1.2 submission attempts per 15 minutes. That combination of striking and grappling output makes him a legitimate threat on the ground and on the feet.

Why it matters

• Rakhmonov's perfect record and finishing ability place him among the most credible title challengers in the welterweight division.
• Makhachev's public openness to the fight signals it is on his radar, even if no formal steps have been taken.
• A matchup between a grappling-dominant champion and a high-volume finisher with elite striking accuracy would be one of the division's most compelling stylistic collisions.
• The timeline depends on Rakhmonov's recovery, meaning the fight remains a future possibility rather than an imminent booking.