Shavkat
Rakhmonov’s recovery and rehabilitation from multiple leg
injuries is seemingly moving in the right direction.
The undefeated welterweight recently shared footage on his
Instagram stories, in which he’s seen doing some light wrestling
work. Rakhmonov hasn’t competed since December 2024, with multiple
injury setbacks preventing a return to competition. However, the
recent video he and his coach shared online could be a sign of good
things to come.
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Shavkat Rakhmonov continues recovery after calling for Islam
Makhachev matchup
Rakhmonov (19-0) was working on his clinch work in the video shared
on Instagram. He appears to be in good spirits and, notably, didn’t
have a protective boot on his leg as he did in a recent
interview.
While speaking to AFL Global in an interview posted on Sept. 6, the
Kazakh was wearing a full protective boot. He’s now boot-free and
gunning for an Octagon return, evidenced by his comments in said
interview, wherein he said he matches up well with current
welterweight champ Islam
Makhachev.
Rakhmonov expressed frustration after Makhachev did not mention him
among the leading 170-pound contenders, prompting the latter to
respond that he would consider the matchup once “Nomad” has
recovered and returned to action in the UFC.
“Well, Rakhmonov gave an interview recently with a huge brace on
his knee and he says he wants to fight,” Makhachev said during a
media scrum. “Choose him and wait for 1.5 years? Let him recover
and he will become one of the contenders.”
😅🇰🇿 Islam
Makhachev responds to Shavkat
Rakhmonov who wasn’t happy with him not being mentioned as the
next contender:„He gave an interview with a huge brace on his knee. He wants me to
choose him and then wait for 1.5 years for him to recover?“🎥 MATCH TV pic.twitter.com/u5ayP5D7zz
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight)
September 9, 2026