Overview
- Rakhmonov re-injured the same knee and underwent surgery, with reports projecting at least a nine-month layoff that could keep him out for most or all of 2026.
- He had been the No. 2 welterweight, and his removal prompted an administrative bump for the rest of the division’s top 15.
- Kamaru Usman criticized the decision on his Pound 4 Pound podcast, pointing to Jon Jones remaining ranked during a long hiatus.
- Usman urged Rakhmonov to prioritize recovery and consider changing training camps, noting repeated surgeries on the same injury.
- Rakhmonov has not competed since defeating Ian Machado Garry at UFC 310 in December 2024, a win that cemented his status as a top title contender.