Shavkat
Rakhmonov is finally hitting pads after months of recovery and
rehabilitation.

While Rakhmonov (19-0) was once widely considered the most
promising welterweight contender in the
Ultimate Fighting Championship, he has been sidelined for a
year and a half due to a knee injury. He was expected to challenge
then-champion Belal
Muhammad for the title in December 2024, but Muhammad withdrew
due to a bone infection. Rakhmonov went on to defeat Ian Garry
instead on the same card.

Shavkat Rakhmonov resumes striking training as the unbeaten UFC
welterweight contender continues recovering from knee surgery

Rakhmonov allegedly went into the fight against Garry with a knee
injury that was aggravated. While “Nomad†was expected to recover
within a year, he was seen with a knee brace and crutches earlier
this year.

Furthermore, Rakhmonov's manager subsequently confirmed that the
170-pound star had to undergo surgery this past January after
re-injuring his knee. He was expected to return in 9-10 months
after his surgery. The undefeated Kazakh was recently seen back in
training, doing light pad work. He is also still doing rehab work
for his left knee.

The welterweight title picture has drastically changed since
Rakhmonov last fought. Muhammad lost the title to Jack
Della Maddalena at UFC 315 last year. Former lightweight
champion Islam
Makhachev then moved up and dethroned Maddalena at UFC 322 this
past November. Makhachev is now scheduled to defend his title
against Garry at UFC 330 on Aug. 15 at Xfinity Mobile Arena in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Shavkat
Rakhmonov is back in training after undergoing knee surgery in
January 💪

(via @Rakhmonov1994)
pic.twitter.com/3pOsnmf6S9

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS)
July 7, 2026

Shavkat
Rakhmonov getting in some knee rehab work

(via @Rakhmonov1994)
https://t.co/YIWsplD6Dy
pic.twitter.com/mVyisBjh1Z

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS)
July 7, 2026

UFC legend Dustin Poirier has explained why he doesn't want sympathy following his airport arrest as of late.

As most mixed martial arts fans know, Dustin Poirier was recently involved in an incident that saw him get arrested due to public intoxication at the airport. Immediately following the release of the footage, Dustin made it clear that he was working to improve himself.

RELATED: Dustin Poirier opens up on depression following airport arrest: “When it hits me, it hits me hardâ€

Alas, that didn't stop many fight fans – and fighters – from defending Poirier, suggesting it wasn't a huge indictment on his character.

That included Jon Jones, who made sure to let the masses know that he didn't believe Poirier deserved too much backlash. In a recent interview, Dustin had the following to say on the matter.

Poirier discusses his arrest problems

“My buddy, Kyle, the guy who I work out with everyday, he told me that Jon Jones came out and said something, and it was positive,†Poirier said in “The Diary of a CEO.†“He said Matt Brown as well, a former fighter, did a video, and he said it was really nice. I'm sure I'll see some of that stuff. I don't want to relive the moment that much. I don't want to keep diving back. But when I do get back on social media or do start watching videos, I'm sure I'm going to see some of it.

“I appreciate everybody, but I'm not looking for sympathy or to make this OK. It's not OK. It's not. I don't want to blame anything or have a crutch to lean on about my actions, about what happened. I did it. I'm not blaming it on mental health or anything like that, even though I'm focusing on that now. I did that. I decided to drink that day when I wasn't feeling well. It's all on me.â€

Quotes via MMA Junkie

Do you believe we will ever see DP make a comeback? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, BJPENN Nation!

Gable Steveson's coach Greg Jackson has given his thoughts on the youngster's future ahead of his UFC debut this weekend.

On Saturday night at UFC 329, Gable Steveson will make his first appearance for the Ultimate Fighting Championship when he goes up against Elisha Ellison in a fight that many expect him to win fairly convincingly.

RELATED: Jon Jones reopens the door to UFC comeback after coaching Gable Steveson

Of course, you can never be too sure about someone's ability to translate to the UFC level, but Steveson has the backing of some real greats in the mixed martial arts world – including the likes of Greg Jackson and, perhaps more notably, UFC legend Jon Jones.

In a recent episode of Embedded, Jackson made it crystal clear that he believes Steveson can go far in the promotion.

Jackson praises Steveson's potential

“I think, if you're a fan, you're gonna need to tune in to see what can this guy do,†Jackson said on UFC 329 “Embedded.†“He already won the Olympic gold medal at heavyweight in wrestling. That is so hard to do, I can't even tell you. Where is the ceiling? What can he accomplish? What can he do?â€

“I've worked with most of the greatest fighters to ever do this game, and his athletic ability is unprecedented,†Jackson said. “The way he thinks about things, how smart he is, how coachable, you need to tune in now to see where the ceiling for this guy is. He might be redefining what this sport is.â€

Quotes via MMA Junkie

There's a lot of talk – and now, it's all about seeing if Gable can walk the walk on the biggest stage imaginable.

Do you believe that Gable Steveson will one day become UFC heavyweight champion? Let us know your thoughts on this in the comments below, BJPENN Nation!