Since making his UFC debut in 2020, Shavkat Rakhmonov has looked untouchable. He carved his way through the UFC’s welterweight division like a blade and carried an aura with his perfect finishing record. That aura took a setback at UFC 310 when the Kazakh faced Ian Garry and nearly got submitted in what was a title eliminator after reigning champion Belal Muhammad pulled out due to a bone infection. The 19-0 juggernaut persisted, and fans were sure of his contendership for the gold.

However, fate has its own mysterious games. It now appears that storm clouds are hanging over Rakhmonov’s future. The undefeated ‘Nomad’ was on the cusp of his title shot yet again. A golden opportunity was waiting at UFC 315, until injury struck and his opportunity went to #5 contender, Jack Della Maddalena. In his statement, Rakhmonov wrote, “Unfortunately, due to injury, I won’t be ready for May. I’ll be facing the winner later this year!”

But to make matters worse, a recent image of Rakhmonov with a doctor and looking far from his welterweight frame has gone viral on the internet. In a post on Instagram shared by Left Hook Club, the caption revealed, “Remember when Garry said Shavkat’s knee is f—- up bad from their fight? If this is true, that means Shavkat will be out till 2026 (like Garry said it in the interview) and Islam Makhachev could be the next if everything plays out for him tonight on UFC 315 card.”

In the image, Shavkat Rakhmonov wrote a concerning caption that read, “You always sacrifice your health to professional sports. Thanks to everyone who supports and understands me.” As mentioned in the post by Left Hook Club, it was claimed by Ian Garry that it was due to his relentless kicks that Rakhmonov’s knee got injured at UFC 310.

But there’s a twist. Rakhmonov had previous knee issues before the Garry fight. Whether the Irishman worsened the damage or not, fans aren’t buying the full story. The champion, Belal Muhammad, is scheduled to defend his crown against Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 315 in Rakhmonov’s absence, but he confessed during an interview, “For me, if Shavkat is healthy, I think Shavkat deserves it (title shot).”

But what if ‘healthy’ never comes? The division stands at a crossroads. Sean Brady is back in the mix. Garry is the backup for UFC 315. And Islam Makhachev, usually lighting up the lightweight scene, is now rumored to climb the ladder if the stars align. As such, the fans had a lot to say about a once sure-fire contender’s fate left hanging in the balance due to his injury, and here’s a look at their comments!

Shavkat Rakhmonov sends a wave of concern rippling through the fans as a concerning update is brought to light

One fan laid out their concerns as they wrote, “Gonna have another Cruz situation where his career was just ridiculed with injuries smh unfortunate.” The mention of Dominick Cruz, the former and first-ever UFC bantamweight champion, derailed by endless injuries, reflects fans’ growing fear. Shavkat Rakhmonov, once a fearsome machine, now risks being remembered for being a ‘what if’ instead of a bona fide star.

One user remarked, “Lol let’s say he does eventually fight for the belt & win, y’all really want an inactive fighter as champ?” There’s always tension when a titleholder vanishes between fights. Fans fear the welterweight division could freeze if ‘Nomad’ wins gold, only to vanish again due to lingering issues. A quick look at his UFC record shows that he fought only twice in 2023, once in 2024, and never more than that. Concerning? What do you think?

Someone else commented, “Khamzat and Shavkat. The two most exciting/polarizing prospects we’ve seen, and both can never seem to get in the cage when they are in prime position for the title. Unfortunate.” While Rakhmonov’s absence has been crushing for the fans, the same sentiment seems to be applying to Khamzat Chimaev. Both haven’t fought since late 2024, with the middleweight’s last fight being at UFC 308 and the Kazakh’s being the clash against Ian Garry at UFC 310.

Another fan pointed out, “I thought a champ can’t go up and automatically fight for the title, but now Islam can.” Recent reports have swirled that Islam Makhachev, the lightweight king, could leapfrog into the welterweight scene after UFC 315, depending on the outcome of the main event between Belal Muhammad and Jack Della Maddalena. With Rakhmonov seemingly out for an extended period, it looks like that may just make the Dagestani’s job much easier.

Finally, a grim prediction came from one fan who wrote, “Shavkat will never be the same again after surgery. Like Kamaru Usman.” Once the division’s hammer, former champion Kamaru Usman, was never quite the same after his knees reportedly became a constant source of concern. Fans now worry Rakhmonov may follow a similar path, glorious but ultimately broken.

In conclusion, what was supposed to be Rakhmonov’s moment at UFC 315 has instead become a haunting “what could’ve been?” Injury has sidelined him, doubt has gripped the fanbase, and the division has moved forward without him. While some still hope for his triumphant return, others fear the worst, that Shavkat Rakhmonov may never reclaim the momentum he once had. Will the Kazakh warrior rise again, or has fate already written the final chapter of his title chase? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!