Just two days ago, Michael Morales put the UFC’s welterweight division on notice. In a hype video teasing his next move, Morales called out some of the biggest names at 170 pounds, including Islam Makhachev, Carlos Prates and Ian Garry.
However, the most interesting name on his list was Shavkat Rakhmonov. The Kazakh welterweight has been on the sidelines since UFC 310 in December 2024, where he picked up a win over Ian Garry while dealing with a serious knee injury.
Rakhmonov suffered a torn ACL and meniscus and initially tried to recover through rest and rehabilitation. However, he eventually underwent surgery on January 31, 2026, with an initial recovery timeline of nine to 10 months.
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His coaches have regularly given fans glimpses of his recovery, including footage from his training and sparring sessions. Back in May 2026, his manager Daniel Rubenstein revealed that the early indications suggested Rakhmonov might not be ready to return until 2027 at the earliest.
Now, Morales calling Rakhmonov “the final boss” of the welterweight division and teasing a potential January 2027 matchup could be a sign that fans might finally get to see “Nomad” back inside the Octagon.
Shavkat Rakhmonov’s Latest TikTok May Hint at What’s Next for His UFC Career
Rakhmonov recently took to his TikTok account and shared a video of himself preparing for a sparring session. While the footage itself caught fans’ attention, it was the caption that really got people talking. It read, “19-0 VS 19-0 👊”
The message is pretty easy to decipher. Both Rakhmonov and Morales are currently undefeated at 19-0 in their professional MMA careers, making a potential matchup between the two one of the most interesting fights at 170 pounds.
For the unversed, Morales most recently competed at UFC 322, where he knocked out Sean Brady. Rakhmonov, meanwhile, beat Garry at UFC 310, although the bout came on a night when his knee problems became even more serious.
A knee injury involving both the meniscus and ACL is no small setback, especially for a fighter who had been competing at such a high level. There have been plenty of examples of fighters seeing their careers disrupted by serious knee problems, with Dominick Cruz being one of the most notable cases.
Rakhmonov’s long layoff has already had another major consequence. He was removed from the UFC’s official welterweight rankings in February 2026 after spending nearly 13 months out of action.
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Still, a healthy return in 2027 could immediately put Rakhmonov back into the conversation. Before going the distance with Garry, the Kazakh had finished all 18 of his previous opponents, showcasing the combination of power and finishing ability that made him one of the most feared fighters in the division.
His resume already includes impressive wins over Garry, Stephen Thompson, and Geoff Neal, and a comeback fight against an undefeated fighter like Morales would be a serious way to announce his return.
If Morales really does have Rakhmonov in his sights, this matchup could have major implications for the 170lbs title picture. Depending on how the division plays out, the winner could potentially find himself in position to challenge the winner of Islam Makhachev vs. Carlos Prates.
Kshitiz Kumar Singh is a UFC Writer at NY Fights with over three years of experience in sports journalism and content creation. Known for his sharp storytelling and passion for combat sports, he has written in-depth features on stars like Brock Lesnar, Randy Couture, and Ilia Topuria. Before joining NY Fights, Kshitiz worked as a UFC Editor at EssentiallySports while currently serving as a WWE Editor at FirstSportz. His admiration for legends like Georges St-Pierre continues to inspire his detailed and engaging MMA coverage. Whether he’s covering the Octagon or the squared circle, Kshitiz is committed to delivering accurate, high-quality content. Outside the world of sports, he’s a dedicated cinephile, often found practicing monologues from his favorite Al Pacino films, combining his love for cinema with storytelling.
