There’s been some major movement in the UFC welterweight rankings.
It remains unconfirmed who Islam Makhachev will fight next after becoming king at 170 pounds last November.
Makhachev dominated Jack Della Maddalena to become the eleventh two-division champion in UFC history, and the Dagestani is not short on options for his first defense.
But one of the top names in the weight class is no longer in the mix, after Shavkat Rakhmonov revealed a new injury will keep him out for the foreseeable future.
And that devastating update has been followed by some more bad news for ‘Nomad’.
LATEST NEWS: UFC London star reacts after being denied a ranked opponent yet again: ‘What have I done wrong?’
Colby Covington remains in the UFC welterweight top 15 despite not fighting since 2024
Dana White has criticized that and other aspects of the rankings, but how should the system be changed?
Dana White sits cageside while watching a Contender Series fight. Credit: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
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Shavkat Rakhmonov kicked from the UFC rankings amid fresh injury
Rakhmonov defeated Ian Machado Garry at UFC 310 to cement his status as top contender. The 19-0 Kazakh star was originally scheduled to challenge for the title at that event but an injury to then-champion Belal Muhammad forced a change of plans.
In early 2025, it was an injury to Rakhmonov that halted his championship charge, and he has remained sidelined ever…
2026-02-03 13:00:00
