Full Breakdown
Shavkat Rakhmonov’s Injury Saga and Missed Title Opportunities
9/7/2026, 3:05:56 AM
Core Event
On December 7, 2024, at UFC 310 in Las Vegas, Uzbekistan-born Shavkat Rakhmonov faced Ireland’s Ian Machado Garry in a welterweight No. 1 contender bout. Despite entering the fight with a swollen leg, a lingering meniscus injury, and a partially torn ACL, Rakhmonov secured a competitive decision win. The bout followed the withdrawal of champion Belal Muhammad, who was sidelined by a bone infection.
Background & Context
Rakhmonov entered the UFC with a 19-0 record, including a 7-0 streak in the promotion, defeating fighters such as Stephen Thompson, Geoff Neal and Neil Magny. After his December 2024 fight, he underwent surgery on the same knee, marking a second major procedure within a year. The injuries have kept him out of competition for nearly two years, leading to his removal from the official UFC rankings for inactivity.
Data & Statistics
- Professional record: 19-0 (UFC: 7-0)
- Injuries: recurring partial ACL tear and meniscus damage in the left knee
- Surgery: multiple procedures since 2023, latest in late 2024
- Title shot timeline: originally slated to challenge champion Belal Muhammad in 2024; later displaced by Islam Makhachev’s move to welterweight after Ilia Topuria shifted to lightweight.
Official Statements & Responses
Rakhmonov told ALF Global that his injuries forced him to fight “when he shouldn’t have,” describing the decision as “the Kazakh way” of daring risk. Islam Makhachev later expressed doubt about Rakhmonov’s return, stating he does not believe the Kazakh will fight again after his injuries.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Well that’s my problem, I couldn’t fight,” — Shavkat Rakhmonov, his physician
- “I already had an injury going into the Ian Garry fight,” — Shavkat Rakhmonov, his physician
What’s Next
According to his medical team, Rakhmonov is back in training and may be cleared for competition early in the upcoming year, though no official fight date has been announced.
