Shavkat Rakhmonov

Early career

As an amateur, Rakhmonov won the WMMAA World and Asian Championships titles.^[9]

Rakhmonov's professional career began in October 2014, debuting with a first round triangle choke victory against Adam Tsurov at M-1 Challenge 52. He would continue fighting mainly under the M-1 banner, with seven of his professional fights taking place with promotion, with the remaining five wins coming in his home country's own MMA organization, Kazakhstan Mixed Martial Arts Federation (KZMMAF). He would alternate back-and-forth between the two organizations, earning his first shot at title as a pro against Faridun Odilov for the KZMMAF welterweight belt. He won the title by third-round TKO.^[10]

As an 18-year-old, Rakhmonov became a world champion in amateur MMA for WMMAA (World MMA Association) in 2013.^[11][12]

In 2014 he became WMMAA's Asian MMA champion,^[13] and in the same year he finished as runner-up in WMMAA's World Championship to Gadzhimurad Khiramagomedov.^[14] In 2015 Rakhmonov again finished as a runner-up in WMMAA’s World Championship to Khiramagomedov.^[15] Gadzhimurad Khiramagomedov is the only person to defeat Rakhmonov on two occasions while competing in a MMA fight.^[16][17]

Rakhmonov defended his belt in his next fight at Battle of Nomads 11 against Rinat Sayakbaev in December 2018, returning to M-1 at the start of the new year, facing Daniil Prikaza at M-1 Challenge 101 for the vacant M-1 Welterweight Championship. With a second-round TKO stoppage, the Kazakhstani secured his second belt.^[18] During this period, Rakhmonov received the nickname “Nomad”.^[19]

In his last appearance on the regional scene, Rakhmonov defended his M-1 welterweight title with a first-round stoppage of Tiago Varejão at M-1 Challenge 102.^[20]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Rakhmonov was the first Kazakh fighter to sign a contract with the UFC.^[21] Rakhmonov was scheduled to face Bartosz Fabiński on March 21, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Woodley vs. Edwards.^[22] However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic the event was cancelled.^[23]

Rakhmonov was expected to face Ramazan Emeev on July 26, 2020, at UFC on ESPN 14.^[24] However, in early July, it was reported that Rakhmonov was forced to pull out due to injury^[25] and was replaced by Niklas Stolze.^[26]

Rakhmonov was scheduled to fight Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos on October 24, 2020, at UFC 254.^[27] However, Zaleski pulled out due to injury^[28] and was replaced by Alex Oliveira.^[29] At the weigh-ins, Oliveira weighed in at 173 pounds, two pounds over the welterweight non-title fight limit. As a result, the bout proceeded as a catchweight and he was fined 20% of his purse, which went to Rakhmonov.^[30] Rakhmonov won the fight via guillotine choke submission in the first round.^[31]

Rakhmonov faced Michel Prazeres at UFC Fight Night 190 on June 26, 2021.^[32] He won the bout via rear-naked choke submission in the second round.^[33]

Rakhmonov faced Carlston Harris on February 5, 2022, at UFC Fight Night 200.^[34] He won the fight via knockout in round one.^[35] This fight earned him the Performance of the Night award.^[36]

As the first bout of his new five-fight contract, Rakhmonov faced Neil Magny on June 25, 2022, at UFC on ESPN 38.^[37][38] He won the fight via a guillotine choke submission in the second round.^[39] This win earned him the Performance of the Night bonus award.^[40]

Rakhmonov was scheduled to face Geoff Neal on January 14, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 217.^[41] However, Neal pulled out due to an undisclosed injury.^[42] The pair was rescheduled for UFC 285 on March 4, 2023.^[43] At the weigh-ins, Neal weighed in at 175 pounds, 4 pounds over the non-title fight welterweight limit. As a result, the bout proceeded as a catchweight and Neal was fined 30% of his fight purse, which went to Rakhmonov.^[44] He won the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the third round.^[45] This fight earned Rakhmonov his first Fight of the Night award.^[46]

Rakhmonov was scheduled to face Kelvin Gastelum on September 16, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 227.^[47] However, Gastelum withdrew in late July after sustaining a facial fracture.^[48]

Rakhmonov faced Stephen Thompson on December 16, 2023, at UFC 296.^[49] He won via a rear-naked choke submission with just four seconds remaining in the second round, making him the first person to ever finish Thompson by submission in his MMA career.^[50]

Rakhmonov was scheduled to compete for the UFC Welterweight Championship against current champion Belal Muhammad on December 7, 2024 at UFC 310.^[51] However, due to a bone infection in his foot, Muhammad was forced to withdraw.^[52] Rakhmonov instead faced Ian Machado Garry in a 5-round title eliminator.^[53] Rakhmonov won the fight by unanimous decision in his first MMA decision victory.^[54][55]

Due to injury, Rakhmonov was unable to compete for the championship against then champion Belal Muhammad at UFC 315 but stated that he would be offered a title shot later in the year after recovering.^[56] In January 2026, it was reported that Rakhmonov's knee injury would keep him out of action for nine-to-ten months.^[57] He was removed from #2 in the rankings as a result of this injury.^[58]