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Shavkat Rakhmonov Teases UFC Return Against Michael Morales With “19-0” Hint

Shavkat Rakhmonov’s highly anticipated return to the UFC welterweight division may finally be on the horizon after a lengthy recovery from a severe knee injury. The Kazakh fighter, who last competed at UFC 310 in December 2024 against Ian Garry—a bout he won despite suffering a torn ACL and meniscus—underwent surgery on January 31, 2026, with an initial recovery timeline of nine to ten months.

His absence from the sport has been prolonged, with his UFC welterweight ranking removed in February 2026 after nearly 13 months out of action. Rakhmonov’s recent TikTok post, featuring a sparring session and a caption reading *“19-0 VS 19-0”*, has reignited speculation about a potential showdown with Michael Morales, who also boasts an undefeated record at 19-0.

Morales, who recently called out Rakhmonov in a hype video, hinted at a January 2027 matchup, framing the Kazakh as the *“final boss”* of the welterweight division. Both fighters have been dominant in their careers, with Rakhmonov finishing 18 of his first 19 opponents before his injury, while Morales most recently knocked out Sean Brady at UFC 322.

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