UFC welterweight star Shavkat Rakhmonov found himself at the center of heartbreaking news this week, after a fatal car accident involving his family rocked both Kazakhstan and the wider MMA world. The tragic incident, which occurred in the Zhambyl region of Kazakhstan, claimed the lives of two close family friends, while Rakhmonov’s wife and young son miraculously survived. According to local reports, Gulayim Rakhmonova, the fighter’s wife, drove their Toyota Land Cruiser along the Almaty–Yekaterinburg highway early Sunday morning.

She reportedly traveled from Karaganda to Almaty when she lost control of the vehicle, which overturned during the journey. Emergency responders rushed all passengers to a nearby hospital. While the crash killed two of the passengers on the spot, Shavkat Rakhmonova and the couple’s child have since left the hospital and are now recovering. The emotional toll of the accident is still unfolding, and the MMA community has rallied around ‘Nomand’ during this difficult time.

UFC veterans Paul Felder and Michael Bisping, who were with Shavkat Rakhmonov just days earlier during UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi, addressed the tragedy on their YouTube channel. Speaking about the incident, Felder said: “Yeah, it was a nasty car accident that actually claimed the lives of two people. Thankfully, his wife and child survived the crash, and they are actually out of the hospital already.”

‘The Count’, who also reacted with shock, added: “Well, it must have been after we saw him, ’cause he definitely wouldn’t have been hanging out with his buddies, sitting in a bar, you know. It must have been after that. I don’t know if he was at the fights, but Jesus Christ… That’s the thing—when I’m traveling all over the world, you know, anything can happen.”

Now that his wife and son are safe, fans eagerly await a word from Shavkat Rakhmonov himself. The 30-year-old welterweight last entered the Octagon in December 2024, taking on Ian Garry on short notice. The clash evolved into a fierce, relentless struggle—one of the most demanding tests of Rakhmonov’s flawless record.

Although he walked away with the win and maintained his perfect record, it came at a price. ‘Nomad’ reportedly suffered an injury during the bout, which has kept him out of action ever since.

UFC contender shares emotional one-word response to Shavkat Rakhmonov accident

An outpouring of support has followed the tragic car accident involving Shavkat Rakhmonov’s family and two of his close friends. The devastating crash, which took place this past Sunday in Kazakhstan, has not only left a deep scar on his homeland but also sent shockwaves throughout the global MMA community.

Known for his ruthless ground-and-pound and stoic composure, Shavkat Rakhmonov has earned the respect and admiration of fans around the world. Since his UFC debut, he has built a reputation as a dominant force in the welterweight division—fearless inside the cage, yet respectful outside of it. Sadly, the recent accident left ‘Nomad’s wife and son injured and claimed the lives of two of his close friends.

As the MMA world comes to terms with the heartbreaking news, messages of prayer and support have flooded in—not only from fans but also from fellow fighters, including his rivals. Among those who publicly shared their support was UFC welterweight Gilbert Burns, who responded to the tragedy with a heartfelt post on social media. Burns simply wrote: “Wow 😢😢😢😢🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾”

At this time, there are no new updates regarding the condition of Shavkat Rakhmonov’s wife and son, or the extent of their injuries. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as soon as more information becomes available—stay tuned.