Makhachev dismisses Rakhmonov's title push until knee injuries clear

Islam Makhachev has pushed back against Shavkat Rakhmonov’s complaints about being left out of the UFC welterweight title picture, telling Match TV that the undefeated contender’s ongoing knee problems make him an impractical next opponent.

Rakhmonov (19-0) had voiced disappointment in a recent interview with ALF Global after Makhachev repeatedly named Carlos Prates and Michael Morales as the two fighters most deserving of the next title shot. The champion’s response was pointed: Rakhmonov gave that interview wearing a large knee brace.

“Well, Rakhmonov gave an interview recently with a huge brace on his knee and he says he wants to fight; I want to respond to his interview,” Makhachev told Match TV. “He says I should have chosen him. Choose him and wait for 1.5 years? Let him recover and he will become one of the contenders. I never said that I will not fight him.”

The comment cuts to the core of Rakhmonov’s situation. The Kazakh fighter has not competed since defeating Ian Garry in December 2024 — the only loss of Garry’s career before Makhachev himself stopped him in August. Rakhmonov underwent knee surgery following that win, then suffered a setback during rehabilitation that required a second procedure, leaving his return timeline uncertain.

Makhachev (29-1) captured the welterweight title against Jack Della Maddalena and has since defended it once. His position is that Rakhmonov’s unbeaten record and quality are not in question — only the practicality of building a title fight around a fighter whose availability remains unclear.

The champion left the door open rather than closing it entirely, making clear that once Rakhmonov is healthy and has re-established himself as the leading contender, a fight between the two remains on the table. For now, Prates and Morales are the names Makhachev is focused on.