Shavkat Rakhmonov: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

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Dana White has been asked about the rumors surrounding two top welterweight fighters. Michael Morales recently claimed that his next opponent will be fellow 19-0 contender Shavkat Rakhmonov.

MMA News / BoxingNews.com / October 8

Rakhmonov Eyes 2027 Return Against Fellow Unbeaten Michael Morales

Shavkat Rakhmonov is aiming for a 2027 comeback and appears to want Michael Morales, the No. 3-ranked welterweight, as his opponent. No fight has been announced.

MMA News / The Body Lock / October 7

Is Shavkat Rakhmonov Finally Ready to Return After Two-Year Layoff?

Shavkat Rakhmonov posted “19-0 VS 19-0” on TikTok, hinting at a fight with Michael Morales Rakhmonov hasn’t fought since December 2024 due to torn ACL

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / October 7

Shavkat Rakhmonov confirms his comeback opponent in cryptic social media posts

Shavkat Rakhmonov is getting ready to fight for the first time in two years. The 19-0 contender has been sidelined with a knee injury since outpointing Ian Machado Garry at UFC 310 in December 2024.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / October 7

Shavkat Rakhmonov Seemingly Confirms Michael Morales as Next Opponent

The wait for Shavkat Rakhmonov‘s return to the Octagon is looking more promising, and it seems he’s going to face a young and hungry Michael Morales for his comeback.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / October 4

Michael Morales claims he’s fighting Shavkat Rakhmonov next in message to UFC welterweight division

Michael Morales has exploded on the welterweight division in a video revealing his next opponent. The UFC welterweight division is currently one of the strongest weight classes in MMA, with Islam Makhachev sitting atop an extremely talented pile.

MMA News / BoxingNews.com / September 11

Makhachev Fires Back At Rakhmonov Over Title Claims

UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev has responded to Shavkat Rakhmonov after the undefeated Kazakh complained about being passed over for a title shot.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / September 10

Islam Makhachev Shuts Down Shavkat Rakhmonov Amid Doubts Over UFC Star’s Return

Though it’s been less than a month since he defended his welterweight title against Ian Machado Garry, Islam Makhachev continues to find himself under scrutiny from fighters who question his dominance.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / September 7

Shavkat Rakhmonov Takes Aim at Islam Makhachev’s Title Reign as He Remains Adamant on No. 1 Contender Claim

Shavkat Rakhmonov has every reason to feel robbed. ‘Nomad’ had already earned his place at the front of the welterweight line, only for injuries to freeze his career while Islam Makhachev jumped straight to 170 and walked into the title picture.

MMA News / BoxingNews.com / September 7

Rakhmonov Admits UFC Return Far From Guaranteed

Shavkat Rakhmonov says his return to the octagon is uncertain after the knee injury he carried into his December 2024 win over Ian Garry worsened during the fight.

MMA News / BoxingNews.com / September 6

Rakhmonov Regrets Taking Garry Fight While Injured

Shavkat Rakhmonov believes he made a mistake taking the Ian Machado Garry fight. The undefeated welterweight contender told ALF Global in a recent interview that he entered UFC 310 last December with a pre-existing knee injury, a decision he now views as costly.

MMA News / BoxingNews.com / September 6

Rakhmonov On Potential Makhachev Title Fight

Shavkat Rakhmonov thinks he can give Islam Makhachev problems if the two ever meet for the UFC welterweight title. The undefeated contender has watched the 170-pound division move on without him while recovering from surgery that cost him a planned shot at then-champion Belal Muhammad.

MMA News / BoxingNews.com / August 20

Brady Says Rakhmonov Done With UFC Despite Sparring Footage

Sean Brady believes Shavkat Rakhmonov is finished as a fighter, despite recent sparring footage suggesting the undefeated welterweight is back in training.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / August 20

Welterweight Contender Says Shavkat Rakhmonov May Retire Without Ever Fighting Again Amid Warning on UFC Return

The situation surrounding Shavkat Rakhmonov continues to remain uncertain. On the one hand, reports indicate the former top UFC welterweight contender was resuming his training, but on the other hand, clouds of doubt still hang over his return to the Octagon.

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MMA News / BoxingNews.com / August 19

Thompson Warns On Rakhmonov's UFC Return

Stephen Thompson expects Shavkat Rakhmonov to return from his lengthy injury layoff sharper than ever. Rakhmonov has not competed since beating Ian Garry in December 2024, missing over 18 months after a knee injury scrapped what was expected to be a title shot.

MMA News / BoxingNews.com / August 4

Rakhmonov Shows Wrestling In Recovery Footage

Shavkat Rakhmonov is drilling wrestling and grappling again after knee surgery derailed his title shot last year. New training footage posted by his boxing coach on Instagram shows the undefeated Kazakh bouncing on his feet while striking, working takedowns, and locking up a guillotine choke.

MMA News / BoxingNews.com / August 4

Shavkat Rakhmonov Back Sparring After Knee Surgery

Undefeated UFC welterweight Shavkat Rakhmonov has returned to full sparring nearly 20 months after his last octagon appearance, MMA Mania reports. Rakhmonov, who beat Ian Machado Garry by decision at UFC 310 in December 2024, fought that bout with a compromised knee that reportedly worsened during the contest.

MMA News / HITC / November 26

Shavkat Rakhmonov responds to Garry’s title push, reminding him who won their last UFC fight

Shavkat Rakhmonov has responded to Ian Machado Garry’s calls for a UFC title shot, firing back with a stinging post on social media. The Irish welterweight prospect suffered his only professional loss to Rakhmonov last December at UFC 310, dropping a razor-thin decision.

MMA News / Yardbarker / November 17

Potential matchups for some big names after UFC 322

UFC 322 has come to an end and the massive card at Madison Square Garden lived up to it’s hype. Here’s some potential fights that could be made for the new welterweight champion of the world and more.

Islam Makhachev, Valentina Shevchenko cruise to title wins at UFC 322

MMA News / MMA Knockout On SI / April 22, 2025

UFC's Ian Machado Garry drops surprising admission about Shavkat Rakhmonov fight

Ahead of his return to the cage this weekend in Kansas City, UFC welterweight contender Ian Machado Garry took time to reflect on the first loss of his career.

MMA News / MMA Knockout On SI / December 10, 2024

‘Belal Munching Him for Breakfast’ - Michael Page on Shavkat Rakhmonov after UFC 310

Michael "Venom" Page believes Belal Muhammad would have taken Shavkat Rakhmonov's undefeated record at UFC 310. Muhammad vs. Rakhmonov was the original main event booked for last weekend, but a toe infection would take welterweight champion Muhammad out of the picture altogether, leaving Ian Machado Garry to step in on short notice.

MMA News / Ringside Intel / December 10, 2024

Was Shavkat Rakhmonov Battling A Serious Injury Heading Into UFC 310 Clash With Ian Machado Garry?

Shavkat Rakhmonov handled fellow top contender Ian Machado Garry at UFC 310 over the weekend. With the co-main event win, “Nomad” secured his standing as the No.

MMA News / MMA Knockout On SI / December 8, 2024

Shavkat Rakhmonov Hands Ian Machado Garry First Loss in UFC 310 Co-Main Event

Undefeated fighters Shavkat Rakhmonov and Ian Machado Garry met in the co-main event of UFC 310 to decide the next challenger for the welterweight title.

MMA News / MMA Knockout On SI / December 3, 2024

Shavkat Rakhmonov Reveals 3 Fighters He Was Offered at UFC 310

Shavkat Rakhmonov has cleared the air on what's going on in the UFC Welterweight division. PFL CEO Open to Mega Fight Between UFC Champ Jon Jones & Francis Ngannou After weeks of waiting on a replacement opponent for the injured Belal Muhammad, someone finally came through - the #7-ranked contender Ian Machado Garry.

MMA News / Empire Sports Media / November 16, 2024

UFC 310 adds title eliminator between Shavkat Rakhmonov and Ian Machado Garry

Tonight Dana White announced a shakeup to UFC 310 next month in Las Vegas. Originally, Shavkat Rakhmonov (18-0) was supposed to fight Belal Muhammad for the welterweight title.

MMA News / Ringside Intel / October 13, 2024

Shavkat Rakhmonov Next Fight: ‘Nomad’ Gets His Shot At The Belt In December

The Shavkat Rakhmonov next fight news has arrived. And boy is it a big one. “Nomad” will be returning to the UFC Octagon to fight before the calendar year comes to an end.