Shavkat Rakhmonov appears to be moving in the right direction toward a UFC return, with new footage showing the undefeated welterweight contender back in the gym.
Rakhmonov, who owns a 19-0 MMA record including 7-0 in the UFC, has been sidelined since his last outing at UFC 310 in December 2024, where he defeated Ian Machado Garry. He entered that fight with a knee injury and then suffered another setback that required surgery in January.
Recent footage now shows Rakhmonov moving and hitting pads as part of his recovery, signaling tangible progress after a difficult stretch. His injuries previously prevented him from accepting a title opportunity against then-champion Belal Muhammad in May 2025.
Rakhmonov has been out of action since missing that title shot, and after his most recent surgery, his team told MMA Junkie he was hopeful for a return in late 2026.
