Islam
Makhachev has fired back at Shavkat
Rakhmonov.
Makhachev has repeatedly acknowledged Carlos
Prates and Michael
Morales as the top two contenders for the next welterweight
title shot in the
Ultimate Fighting Championship. Rakhmonov, in a recent
interview with ALF Global, expressed disappointment about not being
mentioned by Makhachev, who has now issued a response.
Islam Makhachev questions Shavkat Rakhmonov’s timetable for a
UFC title fight
Makhachev took a dig at the undefeated Kazakh’s lingering health
issues. The UFC welterweight champ questions whether he should wait
a year and a half to fight Rakhmonov. However, Makhachev clarifies
that he won’t turn down a fight against Rakhmonov once “Nomad”
recovers and cements his status as a contender.
“Well, Rakhmonov gave an interview recently with a huge brace on
his knee and he says he wants to fight; I want to respond to his
interview,” Makhachev told Match TV. “He says I should have chosen
him. Choose him and wait for 1.5 years? Let him recover and he will
become one of the contenders. I never said that I will not fight
him.”
Makhachev (29-1) won the welterweight title against Jack
Della Maddalena last year and defended it in August against
Ian
Garry, whose only career loss before facing Makhachev was to
Rakhmonov. However, Rakhmonov (19-0) hasn’t fought since defeating
Garry in December 2024. He underwent knee surgery after the fight
and injured it again during recovery, leading to another
surgery.
😅🇰🇿 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