Shavkat Rakhmonov has claimed he was originally to challenge Jack Della Maddalena when the Aussie was reigning UFC welterweight champion.

However, since Islam Makhachev vacated his 155-pound title after four defenses, he was considered the more privileged fighter and therefore received the 170-pound title shot ahead of Rakhmonov. “Nomad” is not against Makhachev getting the championship opportunity over him.

Shavkat Rakhmonov has only stated what the original plan was and how things changed with shakeups in the UFC lightweight and welterweight divisions in 2025. He told ALF Global during a recent sit-down:

“The situation in the division’s changed. [Ilia] Topuria moved up to 155 pounds. They asked Islam [Makahchev] to fight JDM. But actually, I was supposed to fight JDM, but Islam still has a bit more privilege than I do, as he was the UFC lightweight champion.”

Check out Shavkat Rakhmonov’s comments below:

Whatever Rakhmonov has said makes total sense. He was originally going to fight for the UFC welterweight strap in 2024 when Belal Muhammad was the champion. However, at that time, Muhammad was suffering from a bone infection and therefore could not defend his title against Rakhmonov. Thus, Rakhmonov and Garry fought in a No. 1 contender bout, which “Nomad” won. However, after the fight, Rakhmonov had to undergo surgery, and while he was recovering, “Remember the Name” lost his title to “JDM.”

Meanwhile, at UFC 322, while Rakhmonov was still recovering, Makahchev moved up and defeated Jack Della Maddalena to become the new UFC welterweight champion.

The two-division champion and P4P king has also successfully defended his 170-pound strap once, most recently at UFC 330 against Rakhmonov’s former opponent and training partner, Garry.

When will Shavkat Rakhmonov be back?

The undefeated Kazakh fighter has remained on the sidelines for nearly 2 years now. Shavkat Rakhmonov has suffered a recurring partial ACL tear and meniscus injury in the same knee, for which he had to go under the knife multiple times. Earlier this year, when everyone hoped he would return to the octagon, he injured the same knee again.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 07: Shavkat Rakhmonov of Uzbekistan looks on during a welterweight bout against Ian Machado Garry of Ireland during the UFC 310 event at T-Mobile Arena on December 07, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC)

A few months ago, he was also removed from the official UFC rankings due to inactivity from injury and no clear return timeline.

But there is good news now. Following another surgery, “Nomad” is back in training and is plotting his return. His physician believes Rakhmonov will be ready to fight at the “beginning of next year.”

Check out the post below: