Significant shifts have occurred in the UFC welterweight rankings recently.
Islam Makhachev, who captured the 170-pound title last November with a dominant win over Jacques Della Maddalena, is yet to announce his next challenger. As the 11th fighter in UFC history to hold belts in two divisions, Makhachev has multiple viable options for his first title defense. However, a leading contender in the division, Shavkat Rakhmonov, will be out of contention for the foreseeable future due to a new injury setback.
This unfortunate development was compounded by further negative news for Rakhmonov, often referred to as “Nomad.” Despite his impressive rise, including a notable victory over Ian Machado Garry at UFC 310, Rakhmonov’s progress has been hampered by injuries since early 2025. He was originally slated to fight for the title at UFC 310, but Belal Muhammad’s injury caused a reshuffle. Most recently, Rakhmonov has been seen wearing a knee brace, signaling ongoing issues. After undergoing another surgery, he is expected to miss the entirety of 2026 and has consequently been dropped from the welterweight rankings, where he previously held the number two spot. Ian Machado Garry has taken over that position, while UFC London standout Michael “Venom” Page has moved into the now-vacant 15th rank.
Fans have expressed frustration over Rakhmonov’s removal, particularly since Colby Covington remains in the rankings despite similar inactivity. Covington last fought a week after Rakhmonov’s most recent bout and suffered a decisive defeat by Joaquin Buckley at UFC Fight Night in Tampa. The ongoing presence of Covington, who has not fought since 2024, alongside the removal of Rakhmonov, has sparked outrage among the MMA community, with many calling for Covington to be dropped as well.
Fan reactions include comments such as “So, where does Colby still rank?” and “It’s shocking that Shakhmonov was removed before Covington.” The controversy highlights perceived inconsistencies in the UFC ranking system, prompting calls for change.
Fan Take:
This shakeup in the welterweight division matters deeply to fight fans because it affects who will emerge as the next legitimate challenger for Islam Makhachev’s title. Moreover, the controversy over rankings exposes ongoing tensions around how UFC assesses fighters, pointing to a need for a more transparent and consistent system to maintain fan trust and the sport’s competitive integrity.
