Islam Makhachev claimed the welterweight crown after defeating Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322. The Dagestani’s dominant win put the division on alert, but a few names still caught his interest. Fans started calling for matchups against contenders like Ian Garry, Carlos Prates, or Michael Morales. At the same time, many hoped to see Shavkat Rakhmonov return and challenge Makhachev. However, dark clouds now loom over that matchup, as the undefeated Kazakh was recently spotted wearing crutches with knee braces.  

“Shavkat Rakhmonov was spotted walking with crutches and a knee brace. He hasn’t fought since December 2024 due to a knee injury,” Championship Round posted on X, ‘Nomad’ walking with the crutches at NAIZA 80 fight night event. 

Although the video wasn’t completely clear, the commentator mentioned Shavkat’s name as the camera showed him struggling to walk. The Kokshetau native has a history of knee injuries, especially the one that forced him to miss a title fight against Belal Muhammad at UFC 315, and Jack Della Maddalena stepped in as his replacement. With that bout scrapped, the undefeated contender went the entire 2025 season without a fight.  Now, with the 2026 return seemingly looking in danger, Shavkat addressed the issue himself. 

“A fighter’s path has never been so easy. Life doesn’t give up challenges that we can’t overcome. Every dream comes at a price, and sometimes that price is your health. Today, I have to be honest, due to the ongoing injuries, I have had another surgery, and I will need time to recover. As a result, my return to the Octagon will be postponed, ‘Nomad’ wrote on X.

That’s definitely a tough situation to handle. For a fighter like Shavkat, who has built a boogeyman aura in the welterweight division, it’s hard to say if he can perform at the same level after multiple knee surgeries. But even with that setback, the 170-pounder stays focused on his goal of bringing the belt home.

“It’s not easy to expect, but I truly believe every setback is a part of a bigger plan. I will come back stronger, smarter, and hungrier than ever. My goal is still alive. The UFC belt needs to come at Kazakhstan. Thank you to everyone who stands by me no matter what. This is not the end of the journey, this is just part of it,” the undefeated Kazakh added.

Now, with one of the prime contenders to face Islam Makhachev out for an unexpected stretch, fans are left disappointed. Reacting to ‘Nomad’s surgery, they had mixed reactions, with some even calling for retirement. So, let’s take a look at what MMA fans had to say.

Fans react after Shavkat Rakhmonov delays UFC return due to injury

One fan wrote, “Brooo… that sucks. I feel bad for him,” and it’s definitely tough to see Shavkat in this condition. Another user followed up by asking, “Wasn’t he supposed to come back this February😭”.  Actually, the No. 2 welterweight contender had previously hinted at a February–March return in an Ariel Helwani interview, hyping up the fans. But those plans now look completely derailed.

So far, it’s still unclear whether he has suffered a new injury, but one fan speculated, “prolly had surgery.” Based on the crutches, some believe Shavkat may have undergone another procedure, with the knee brace pointing back to his old injury issues. One fan predicted a long road back, writing, “see you in 2028 against bonfim buddy.” If that timeline holds, Gabriel Bonfim could very well replace him in the pecking order, forcing the 31-year-old to face a completely different opponent.

One user bluntly suggested, “Just retire bro… we good.” Another fan took a more somber view, saying, “Shavkat is about to turn into the biggest what if since Zabit. Feel bad for him.” That comparison hits close to home, as fans may never get to see Shavkat’s full potential if injuries continue to derail his career.

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At the same time, the division won’t wait forever. One fan already shifted focus to the champion’s next move, writing, “ok then, now book morales vs islam”. With some real back-and-forth brewing between Islam Makhachev and the Ecuadorian powerhouse, that matchup might not be as far-fetched. 

Now, as the details around ‘Nomad’s’ injury remain murky, there’s still a chance the severity could ease at the end of this year. If that happens, who do you think can welcome him in the cage? Let us know in the comments section below.