It looked like everything was finally coming together. After their original bout at UFC 310 fell apart, Shavkat Rakhmonov and Belal Muhammad were rescheduled to face off once and for all at UFC 315 in Montreal. The stakes were high: unbeaten streaks, a title on the line, and a division in need of clarity. However, just as fans believed it was going to happen, the fight was called off again.
Why? Well, that’s because this time, ‘Nomad’ had to step back, unlike back in the past when it was an infection that caused Belal Muhammad to pull out. So what happened? Why did the soaring Kazakh challenger, who appeared to be just one step away from the throne, suddenly vanish from the title picture? Well, it was all because of an injury. So, what was it, and when will he return? Let’s find out!
Shavkat Rakhmonov’s serious knee injury & surgery
It turns out that Shavkat Rakhmonov was dealing with far more than anybody anticipated during his confrontation with Ian Machado Garry in December 2024. While he won by a close unanimous decision, it was later revealed that he had a significant knee injury going into the fight. We now know it wasn’t just a slight niggle; it was a torn MCL, the type of injury that necessitates surgery and months of rehabilitation.
And, while he got through it once, he couldn’t do it again. UFC 315 was meant to be his time, but the injury caught up to him. Jack Della Maddalena was called in to replace him against Belal Muhammad, and seeing that he indeed ended up winning, it seems like the division has quickly moved on. It’s a cruel twist for someone who appeared to be on track to become champion. And for fans who’ve followed the Kazakh’s rise in the Dana White-led promotion, it’s hard not to feel a little gutted. But when is ‘Nomad’ coming back?
When will Shavkat Rakhmonov return? Expected timeline
Well, that is the main question now. Based on usual recovery timelines for this type of injury, particularly if it required full meniscus repair (as is frequent for elite-level athletes), we should expect a return around the end of 2025. Best-case scenario? He returns to training around October and fights again in November or December.
LAS VEGAS, NV – March 2: Shavkat Rakhmonov speaks with the press and the fans at MGM KA Arena for UFC 285 -Jones vs Gane : press conference, PK, Pressekonferenz on March 2, 2023 in Las Vegas, NV, United States. Photo by Louis Grasse/PxImages Louis Grasse / SPP PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxBRAxMEX Copyright: xLouisxGrassex/xSPPx SPP_156241
But we are assuming that he faces no setbacks. With injuries like this, nothing is assured, especially in a fast-paced division like the welterweight in the biggest MMA promotion in the world. By the time he returns, the landscape could have changed dramatically. While we already have a new champion, we also have new contenders, as Islam Makhachev is all geared up to make the whole transition to 170.
So, for now, whether Shavkat Rakhmonov can just slot right back into a title fight is anyone’s guess. But we cannot count him out completely. Why? Well, that’s because this isn’t the first major injury that the Kazakh phenom has bounced back from.
Another major injury that Shavkat Rakhmonov suffered in the past
If there’s one thing we can say about Shavkat Rakhmonov, it’s that he’s not scared to fight even when hurt. Prior to his overwhelming victory against Stephen ‘Wonderboy’ Thompson at UFC 296, he was suffering from a significant ankle injury. A ligament tear, to be precise, six weeks before the fight. He almost backed out. But being the Kazakh phenom that he is, quitting wasn’t an option. So, what did he do?
Well, he decided to completely change his game. Instead of throwing kicks, he leaned on his knees and choked out a legend in the second round. That victory marked Thompson’s first submission loss in his 13-year career. After the bout, ‘Nomad’ claimed that he was operating at around 70-80 percent. But he still delivered. That’s what makes the new setback much more painful. He’s shown that he’s willing to go through hell to keep fighting—but this time, the injuries wouldn’t let him.
Despite the unfortunate timing, Shavkat Rakhmonov is not going anywhere. He is still undefeated. He remains one of the most dangerous fighters in the division. And, if he’s healthy, he’ll most likely remain the greatest threat to whoever holds the belt. For the time being, he can only watch from the sidelines while the division moves forward. But one thing we’ve learned about ‘Nomad’ is that you can slow him down, but not stop him. What do you think—will Rakhmonov recover and win the title in 2026? Let us know in the comments.
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