Shavkat Rakhmonov says he’s coming back.
The unbeaten welterweight posted to his Instagram Stories with a short message hinting at a return next year, per MMA Fighting.
Soon 2027
The post appeared to respond to unconfirmed rumors over the weekend that his knee problems had suffered another setback. It doesn’t guarantee anything, but it’s a sign he’s gearing up.
Rakhmonov (19-0) hasn’t fought since beating Ian Machado Garry at UFC 310 in December 2024. Garry had stepped in for injured champion Belal Muhammad. The win all but locked up a title shot, but injuries have kept him out ever since.
The title has changed hands twice in his absence. Muhammad lost it to Jack Della Maddalena, who then lost it to Islam Makhachev.
In October, Rakhmonov teased a fight with another unbeaten fighter, sparking talk of a matchup with Michael Morales. Instead, Morales will face Carlos Prates for the interim welterweight title at UFC 336 on Jan. 30 in Toronto.
