Rakhmonov targets 2027 comeback after knee injury fears threatened to end his UFC run

Shavkat Rakhmonov has indicated he expects to return to the UFC octagon in 2027, posting “Soon 2027” to his Instagram Stories alongside a clenched fist, directly addressing weekend rumours that his ongoing knee problems had forced him into an indefinite — or permanent — absence from competition.

The undefeated welterweight (19-0) last fought at UFC 310 in December 2024, where he defeated Ian Machado Garry, who had stepped in as a late replacement for injured champion Belal Muhammad. That victory left Rakhmonov as the obvious next challenger for the welterweight title, but his own injury troubles have since kept him out of the queue entirely.

In the months since, the welterweight landscape has shifted dramatically around him. Muhammad subsequently lost the title to Jack Della Maddalena, who then dropped it to Islam Makhachev, meaning Rakhmonov would now be chasing a belt held by a different champion in a different division’s crossover context — a far more complicated path than the one that appeared to await him 18 months ago.

Rakhmonov’s Instagram post appears to be a direct rebuttal to unconfirmed social media reports circulating over the weekend that claimed his knee had suffered another setback and that a return was not imminent. While the post stops well short of a confirmed fight date or opponent, it does suggest he is at least working towards active competition rather than facing retirement.

In October, Rakhmonov had teased a potential fight against fellow undefeated prospect Michael Morales (also 19-0), fuelling speculation the two could meet. That matchup has since been bypassed: Morales is now booked to face Carlos Prates at UFC 336 on January 30 in Toronto for an interim welterweight title, with the winner expected to challenge Makhachev.

Rakhmonov’s 2027 timeline, if it holds, would mean he has been sidelined for over two years by the time he next competes — a prolonged absence that has already cost him what looked like a guaranteed title shot. Whether that opportunity can be rebuilt will depend on his health and how the division’s title picture settles once Makhachev’s next welterweight defence is determined.