Competitive welterweight Shavkat Rakhmonov has broken his silence after suffering a second knee injury requiring surgery, meaning his long-awaited return to the octagon has now been postponed until 2027. Rakhmonov, currently ranked among the top welterweights in the UFC, had planned to return in 2026 after recovering from a previous injury sustained before UFC 310. In an emotional statement, the fighter acknowledged that this setback is difficult, but that he sees it as part of a larger cycle of growth and learning.
This setback opens the door for other contenders such as Kamaru Usman, Ian Garry or Michael Morales to advance in the division while Rakhmonov continues his rehabilitation.