There is finally a glimmer of positive news regarding top welterweight contender Shavkat Rakhmonov. The undefeated Kazakh phenom has publicly responded to troubling reports that surfaced over the weekend, which claimed he had reinjured his knee during training and could potentially be sidelined until the middle of 2027.
Rakhmonov, who has been noticeably absent from the Octagon since his last high-profile victory in December 2024, moved quickly to shut down the speculation. Taking to social media via an Instagram story, "Nomad" delivered reassurance to his global fanbase, indicating that he expects to make his long-awaited return to active competition "soon" in 2027.
To further dispel the growing narrative that his recovery had suffered a catastrophic setback, the 32-year-old fighter took to X to share an encouraging update regarding his physical regimen. Providing a firsthand account of his current state, Rakhmonov posted: "Another week of hard training done. Getting stronger every single day."
The swift rebuttal from the fighter comes as a relief to the mixed martial arts community, which has closely monitored his prolonged absence from the sport. Rakhmonov’s career momentum hit a significant roadblock due to a complicated history involving a partial ACL tear and a meniscus injury. These persistent physical ailments flared up prior to his notable December 2024 bout against Ian Machado Garry at UFC 310.
Following that grueling encounter, the severity of the joint damage required Rakhmonov to undergo multiple surgical procedures. Unfortunately, the path to recovery proved to be exceptionally rocky. Reports circulated that the former top-ranked 170-pound contender had not experienced the major improvements medical teams initially hoped for. The setbacks in his rehabilitation even prompted the UFC to temporarily remove him from the official promotional rankings earlier this year as his targeted comeback dates continued to slip.
Speculation reached a peak when multiple media outlets published disheartening updates regarding the state of his rehabilitation. These reports suggested that Nomad had been barred from resuming full-scale, high-intensity MMA training because his knee allegedly could not yet withstand the rigorous physical strain associated with the sport. According to those reports, Rakhmonov was reportedly restricted to light boxing workouts and limited physical conditioning exercises, while heavy wrestling and grappling drills remained completely off-limits. Industry analysts had begun projecting that the absolute best-case scenario for his return would stretch out to June of next year.
However, Rakhmonov’s direct statements on social media suggest that those pessimistic timelines and injury reports may have overstated his limitations. By highlighting a full week of strenuous workouts and steady physical progression, the welterweight standout has signaled that his planned 2027 comeback remains entirely on track. As he continues to build momentum in the gym, the MMA world waits eagerly for official word from the promotion regarding when the dangerous contender will finally step back under the bright lights of the Octagon.
