UFC welterweight contender Shavkat Rakhmonov still isn't close to returning to the Octagon.
Rakhmonov, who last fought in December 2024, recently reinjured his knee and underwent surgery, which is expected to keep him sidelined for another 9-10 months, his manager, Daniel Rubenstein, told Uncrowned's Ariel Helwani on Saturday.
Rakhmonov has been dealing with a knee injury since his most recent fight, a unanimous decision win over Ian Machado Garry at UFC 310. The 31-year-old was seen using crutches while attending an MMA event in his native Kazakhstan on Saturday.
"It's not easy to accept, but I truly believe every setback is part of a bigger plan," Rakhmonov wrote in a statement on X. "I will come back stronger, smarter, and hungrier than ever.
"My goal is still alive. The UFC still has to come to Kazakhstan."
Ranked No. 2 in the welterweight division, Rakhmonov was in line to challenge for the title prior to his injury. "Nomad" holds a 19-0 professional record and is 7-0 in the UFC, with wins over Garry, Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson, and Geoff Neal, among others.
