Shavkat Rakhmonov injured, Islam Makhachev’s next opponent in question

Sports journalist Ariel Helwani commented on the trauma of Kazakhstani UFC fighter Shavkat Rakhmonov. He believes that Nomad still has a chance to win the champion’s belt, despite another forced pause and a lengthy recovery period.

Helwani also noted that the next contender for the title in the welterweight division should be Irish fighter Ian Garry.

«Shavkat news is a gut punch. Feel awful for him. Remember, though, Dom Cruz went through a similar chain of events and eventually came back and won back the belt. It’s not over (hopefully). But the division moves on. Gotta do Islam x Ian next. Nothing else makes more sense,» Helwani wrote on X.

News about Rakhmonov’s injury appeared last weekend. Initially, the fighter was spotted walking on crutches at an MMA tournament.

Later, the 31-year-old fighter made a statement on social media. Despite a relapse of the injury, Rakhmonov promised to bring the UFC champion’s belt to Kazakhstan.

«A fighter’s path has never been easy. Life doesn’t give us challenges we can’t overcome. Every dream comes at a price and sometimes that price is your health. Today, I have to be honest: due to ongoing injuries, I’ve had another surgery and will need time to fully recover. As a result, my return to the Octagon will be postponed. It’s not easy to accept, but I truly believe every setback is part of a bigger plan. I will come back stronger, smarter and hungrier than ever. My goal is still alive. The UFC belt still has to come to Kazakhstan. Thank you to everyone who stands by me no matter what. This is not the end of the journey, it’s an important chapter of it,» he wrote on X.

The last time Rakhmonov appeared in the Octagon was in December 2024, when he defeated Irish fighter Ian Garry by unanimous decision.