UFC Injury Regret
Undefeated UFC Contender Shavkat Rakhmonov Admits Fighting With Severe Injury Was Mistake
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Key Points
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Rakhmonov said his knee injury was compounded by other health problems, and that he had only about two weeks remaining before the Garry fight when he realized the seriousness of the situation.
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Explaining why he accepted the bout, Rakhmonov characterized the decision as part of a risk-taking national mentality: “That’s the Kazakh way. Kazakhs are very daring. They’re not afraid.” He contrasted himself with Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev, saying they “definitely would’ve refused.”
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Rakhmonov’s prolonged absence has extended to roughly 21 months since the Garry bout, during which he has continued to appear in a substantial knee brace, underscoring the lasting impact of the injury.
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The replacement fight was arranged after then-champion Belal Muhammad withdrew with a foot injury, leaving Rakhmonov to convert a planned title challenge into a bout against Garry for position in the contender rankings.
Shavkat Rakhmonov says he made a serious mistake fighting Ian Machado Garry at UFC 310 with a knee injury that he knew was serious. The undefeated welterweight accepted the bout after champion Belal Muhammad withdrew, but MMA Junkie reported that Rakhmonov's decision to compete despite the injury has haunted his career for over 21 months. He won the fight by decision but aggravated the knee, which continues to require a substantial brace.
Rakhmonov Had Only Two Weeks to Realize the Injury's Severity
Rakhmonov disclosed that he faced multiple health problems leading up to the Garry fight. With just two weeks remaining before the bout, the full extent of his knee damage became clear. Despite this realization, he chose to proceed with the matchup rather than withdraw like Muhammad had done.
The Kazakh Way Drove His Decision to Fight Hurt
Rakhmonov explained his risky choice through cultural pride. "That's the Kazakh way," he said. "Kazakhs are very daring. They're not afraid." He contrasted his own willingness to fight injured with fighters like Khabib Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev, saying they "definitely would've refused" under similar circumstances. The decision reflected Rakhmonov's determination to stay active in the title picture.
A Year Without Competition After Aggravating the Injury
The fight against Garry worsened Rakhmonov's knee problem significantly. He has now been sidelined for roughly 21 months since that UFC 310 bout, a prolonged absence from competition that underscores the lasting damage. Throughout his recovery, Rakhmonov has continued to wear a substantial knee brace in public appearances, showing how serious the injury remains.
Replacing a Title Shot With a Contender Fight
Rakhmonov had been scheduled to face champion Belal Muhammad in a title bout when Muhammad withdrew with a foot injury. The UFC quickly moved Rakhmonov down to face Garry instead, converting what should have been a championship match into a fight for ranking position. This switch forced Rakhmonov to choose between resting and preserving his contender status in the highly competitive welterweight division.
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