Shavkat Rakhmonov answers knee re-injury reports with “Soon 2027” return message
The undefeated 19-0 welterweight has not fought since beating Ian Machado Garry at UFC 310 in December 2024, and had knee surgery in January 2026.
Shavkat Rakhmonov has pushed back on reports that he has injured his knee again, posting “Soon 2027” with a clenched fist emoji on his Instagram Stories.
The unconfirmed reports, which spread through Russian media and social media over the weekend, claimed his long battle with knee injuries had hit another bump and that he would not be fighting again any time soon, MMA Fighting reported.
Rakhmonov also posted on X: “Another week of hard training done.” He added: “Getting stronger every single day.”
The undefeated Kazakh fighter (19-0) last fought at UFC 310 in December 2024, when he beat Ian Machado Garry by decision. That bout was originally meant to be a welterweight title fight against Belal Muhammad, who withdrew with a bone infection in his foot. Rakhmonov stayed on the card to face Garry despite existing problems with his ACL and meniscus, according to MMA Mania.
MMA Mania reported that the fight left his knee badly damaged. He spent a year rehabilitating it before injuring it again and undergoing surgery in January 2026. Hopes that he could return by December have since been ruled out.
The win all but guaranteed Rakhmonov the next shot at Muhammad, but Muhammad later lost the title to Jack Della Maddalena, who in turn lost it to Islam Makhachev.
His manager Daniel Rubenstein has already said Rakhmonov will not be returning in January, calling talk of a Della Maddalena fight “completely false and inaccurate”.
In October, Rakhmonov teased a fight with another undefeated fighter, which led to speculation he would face Michael Morales, also 19-0. Morales has since been booked to fight Carlos Prates for the interim welterweight title at UFC 336 in Toronto on 30 January.
Every UK fight result and what's next, every Friday. Get the free UK fight briefing
More MMA from Combat Sports UK
- Stipe Miocic says Ciryl Gane '100 percent deserves' UFC title, Aspinall eye poke 'accidental'
- Magomed Ankalaev says nobody in top five 'wants to fight', calls out heavyweights for January
- Joaquin Buckley dares Holloway and Volkov to say the N-word in an all-black club's DJ booth
- BKB brings on former DAZN executive Michael Ridout as UK managing director
The UK fight briefing
The stories, results and upcoming fights worth knowing. Every Friday.