Rakhmonov (19-0) hasn't fought in the
Ultimate Fighting Championship since defeating Ian Garry in
December 2024. While Rakhmonov was expected to fight for the title
next, he suffered a knee injury, forcing a lengthy stint on the
sidelines. The welterweight title has since changed hands multiple
times, with Jack
Della Maddalena beating Belal
Muhammad to win it before losing the belt to Islam
Makhachev, who successfully defended it against Garry at
UFC
330.

Rakhmonov appears to be making progress with his recovery and
Stephen
Thompson claims “Nomad†will bounce back even better.

Shavkat Rakhmonov remains a major UFC welterweight threat
despite lengthy absence

The long layoff saw Rakhmonov get dropped from the official UFC
welterweight rankings, effectively removing him from discourse
regarding the title mix. However, Thompson, who suffered a
submission loss to Rakhmonov in 2023, warns that the latter
shouldn't be underestimated.

Thompson notes that just because Rakhmonov hasn't competed doesn't
mean he hasn't been training. “Wonderboy†believes he will return
from the injury with a stronger mindset.

“Huge threat,†Thompson told Home of Fight. “The guy is very
skillful everywhere. Just because you don't see this guy fighting,
a lot of people think he's not been training. This dude has been a
through-and-through martial artist since day one. That's all he
does is train. Don't underestimate this guy coming back. I feel
like he's gonna come back even better, a stronger mindset, stronger
fighter spirit. He's looking for blood.â€

Lorenz (7-2) was knocked out in 30 seconds by Abdul-Rakhman
Yakhyaev in his Contender Series debut last year. He bounced
back with a first-round knockout in the regional scene, earning
another shot at an
Ultimate Fighting Championship contract on DWCS 2026
Week 2.

Alik Lorenz rebounds from his 30-second DWCS loss by knocking
out Mahamed Aly

Lorenz took on Mahamed Aly
in a light heavyweight tilt in Week 2 of DWCS 2026. He floored his
opponent with a massive right hand in the first round and a couple
of follow-up hammer-fists were enough for the referee to step
in.

Lorenz says that he came out of his DWCS debut last year regretting
that he couldn't put his skills on display. The 29-year-old
returned this year, determined to leave it all inside the Octagon
and not go to the judges' scorecards.

“I feel amazing,†Lorenz said in his post-fight interview. “Last
year I didn't get to show anything off. So, I think that was the
biggest heartbreak. So, I made a promise to myself: I'm gonna go in
there and give everything I have. Definitely not leave it to the
judges. I just wanted to be proud of myself and the performance I
gave. And I am… We're working on everything at The MMA Lab. Nothing
in particular. Of course I need to move my feet, big guys get lazy.
We need to feint more and stuff. Just being consistent, not letting
that loss determine me.â€

Week 2 of
Dana White's Contender Series 2026 kicked off with an absolute
banger.

Roman
Puga took on Taner
Trembley in a featherweight matchup in Week 2 of DWCS 2026.
While Puga scored an early knockdown, Trembley survived and rocked
him at the end of round 1. Both fighters threw the kitchen sink at
each other, visibly rocking and hurting one another multiple
times.

Roman Puga beats Taner Trembley in wild DWCS 2026 Week 2
fight

The fight somehow went the distance, with Puga earning a unanimous
decision win.
Ultimate Fighting Championship CEO Dana
White was evidently impressed, as he stood up after each round
and went inside the Octagon to congratulate both fighters after the
fight ended.

Puga admits that while he was hunting for a finish, Taner earned
his respect with his grit. While the former came seeking an early
knockout, he was also ready for a 15-minute war if that didn't
materialize.

“I feel overwhelmed; grateful,†Puga said in his post-fight
interview. “I was hoping to put him out, but Taner is a dog. Great
fighter. Really earned my respect… Absolutely [I was surprised]. I
was hitting hard and I felt like it was doing some wear and tear on
him. But nonetheless, I told myself I can go for it in the first
round and knock him out. But if not, be ready for a war. And that's
what you guys saw tonight; I was ready for a war. I wanted that
knockout, but I showcased I'm that dog and I got it.â€

Both fighters ultimately won contracts.