Shavkat Rakhmonov, a rising star in the UFC welterweight division, is facing a challenging path to reclaim his place among the title contenders. Rakhmonov was expected to challenge Belal Muhammad for the welterweight championship at UFC 315 in May 2024. Unfortunately, due to an injury, he had to withdraw from the fight, leading to Jack Della Maddalena stepping in and ultimately defeating Muhammad. This turn of events has significantly altered Rakhmonov’s trajectory in the welterweight rankings.
Recent Developments in the Welterweight Division
During UFC 322, which took place recently, the welterweight landscape shifted dramatically. Islam Makhachev claimed the championship title by defeating Della Maddalena. Additionally, Michael Morales impressively stopped contender Sean Brady in the first round, while Carlos Prates delivered a knockout blow to former champion Leon Edwards.
Rakhmonov’s Path Forward
Belal Muhammad, in a recent interview with El-Balad, commented on Rakhmonov’s situation. He noted that due to the recent activity and success of younger fighters in the division, Rakhmonov will need to fight at least once or twice more to regain his standing. “It just sucks. His injuries plagued him,” Muhammad expressed. The challenges of staying healthy in the sport are evident, and he sympathized with Rakhmonov’s struggles.
Current Status
- Shavkat Rakhmonov has an undefeated professional MMA record of 19-0.
- He has not competed since defeating Ian Machado Garry via unanimous decision in late 2024.
- No timetable has been set for Rakhmonov’s return, with speculation growing that he may miss all of 2025.
The welterweight division is becoming increasingly competitive, with many fighters emerging as potential threats to Makhachev’s title and undefeated streak. As Rakhmonov continues to recover, fans will be keeping a close watch on how the division unfolds without him.
