Shavkat Rakhmonov's fast track to the top of the welterweight division has been derailed by a recurring knee injury.

What happened?

The Kazakh fighter was forced to sit out the entirety of 2025 and has now revealed a second injury on the same knee, putting him out of commission for 2026.

Why it matters for Shavkat Rakhmonov

This means his title dream has been pushed further back, and he has been removed from the UFC rankings, marking a major setback in his once-unstoppable rise.

What comes next?

Former welterweight champion Kamaru Usman has urged Rakhmonov to make significant changes to his training camp if he wants to achieve his goal of becoming a champion.

Rakhmonov had defeated Ian Garry in December 2024, making him the No.1 contender for a title shot. However, he succumbed to an injury before his bout against then-champion Belal Muhammad.

Usman, who has also been forced to stay on the sidelines due to injuries, wishes Rakhmonov a quick recovery and believes that a change in training camp could help him overcome his injury woes.

Rakhmonov has chosen to stay positive, viewing his latest setback as just part of the bigger plan, and his ambition remains the same: to bring the UFC belt to Kazakhstan.

The consequences of Rakhmonov's injury are severe, as his eventual comeback would force him to restart his climb from the very bottom of the division.

Kamaru Usman acknowledged that he doesn't admire Rakhmonov's situation, having been there himself, and hopes that the Kazakh fighter can find a way to overcome his injuries.

Rakhmonov previously held the No.2 spot in the rankings, and with his exit, every top 15 fighter has been bumped up one spot, with Ian Garry moving into the No. 2 spot behind Jack Della Maddalena.

The final spot on the rankings has been awarded to Michael 'Venom' Page, who is making his welterweight return against Sam Patterson on March 22.

Only time will reveal what lies ahead for Shavkat Rakhmonov, but one thing is certain: he will have to overcome his injury woes if he wants to achieve his goal of becoming a UFC champion.

And so, the wait continues for Rakhmonov's return to the octagon, as fans hope that he can find a way to overcome his injuries and make a successful comeback.

But for now, Rakhmonov's focus is on recovery, and he will have to wait and see what the future holds for him in the UFC.

So, the question on everyone's mind is: what's next for Shavkat Rakhmonov?

The answer will have to wait, as Rakhmonov navigates the challenges of his injury and works towards a potential return to the octagon.