Shavkat Rakhmonov Looking Sharp in Full Sparring After Lengthy Knee Recovery

Undefeated UFC welterweight Shavkat Rakhmonov has returned to full sparring and is moving with noticeably better mobility on his repaired knee. New training footage offers the most encouraging update yet on his long recovery from multiple knee procedures.

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Shavkat Rakhmonov is finally looking like himself again in the gym. New footage circulating today shows the undefeated welterweight back in full sparring sessions, hopping on the repaired knee, stuffing takedown attempts, and even elevating for submission attempts. After a long and frustrating stretch of setbacks, this is the clearest sign yet that the Kazakh contender is making real progress.

Rakhmonov has not fought since his unanimous decision win over Ian Machado Garry at UFC 310 in December 2024. He entered that bout with an already compromised knee that was aggravated during the fight. What followed was a lengthy recovery process that included additional surgery earlier this year. He was removed from the official rankings during the layoff and has spent most of 2026 working his way back from the operating table.

Earlier training clips showed him moving cautiously and sticking to lighter work. The latest sessions are different. He appears more explosive, more confident in his base, and willing to engage in the kind of dynamic exchanges that defined his rise through the division. That does not mean a return is right around the corner. Reports still point toward an early 2027 target, and the welterweight title picture has shifted significantly while he has been sidelined.

Still, seeing “Nomad” move freely again is meaningful. At 19-0 with a long list of finishes, Rakhmonov remains one of the most complete and dangerous fighters at 170 pounds when healthy. The combination of sharp striking, relentless pressure, and high-level grappling made him a nightmare matchup for nearly everyone in the division. Getting that version of him back into the Octagon is something a lot of fans have been waiting on.

The road back from major knee issues is rarely linear, and no one should expect him to rush the process. But for the first time in a long while the footage looks genuinely encouraging. If the progress continues, 2027 could finally bring the return of one of the welterweight division’s most intriguing talents.

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