The UFC recently removed Shavkat Rakhmonov from its welterweight rankings after it was revealed that the undefeated Kazakh fighter would miss the entire 2026 season due to a knee injury. Rakhmonov, who last fought at UFC 310 in December 2024 and defeated Ian Machado Garry to secure his No. 2 contender position at 170 pounds, is now sidelined, prompting the promotion to strip him of his top ranking spot.
This decision sparked controversy among fans, especially considering other fighters with similar or longer absences have remained ranked. Kamaru Usman, known as ‘The Nigerian Nightmare,’ voiced his frustration over the inconsistency in how the UFC handles its rankings, urging the promotion to apply rules more evenly.
Usman Highlights Ranking Inconsistencies Compared to Other Fighters
Usman pointed out that Colby Covington still holds a top-15 welterweight ranking despite not competing since December 2024, the same month as Rakhmonov’s last bout. Usman further cited Jon Jones’s extended inactivity as another example of inconsistent ranking standards, referencing how Jones was kept on the pound-for-pound list during a nearly three-year hiatus.
“Shavkat Rakhmonov is potentially out for the year,”
Usman said on his Pound 4 Pound podcast with Henry Cejudo.
“I understand (that he hasn’t fought), but they left Jon in the rankings for almost three years. I didn’t dispute it when he was kept in the rankings…rightfully so, but basically we’re just picking and choosing when we leave someone in the rankings and when we don’t leave someone in the rankings now?”
– Kamaru Usman, UFC Fighter
Jones vacated the light heavyweight title in 2020 and did not debut in the heavyweight division until 2023, yet retained his ranking status throughout his absence, illustrating a perceived double standard in how the UFC handles different fighters’ inactivity.
Potential UFC Return of Jon Jones Meanwhile Shavkat Rakhmonov Remains on Hold
Despite announcing his retirement last year, Jon Jones appears to be planning a return to the UFC, with hopes to compete again before Rakhmonov steps back into the octagon. Jones is targeting a comeback date of June 14 and has expressed a desire for a final fight in Washington D.C., even as he battles severe hip arthritis.
UFC President Dana White has publicly rejected Jones’s idea of fighting at the White House, but this has not deterred the Rochester native from pushing for his comeback. Meanwhile, Rakhmonov’s extended recovery will keep him out of competition throughout 2026, highlighting a key difference in how the UFC is managing their top stars during injury layoffs.
Ranking Decisions Fuel Fan Discontent and Call for Fairness
The removal of Shavkat Rakhmonov from the welterweight rankings has intensified fan frustrations over perceived bias within the UFC’s ranking system. Kamaru Usman’s comments bring attention to the need for clearer, more consistent policies that apply to all fighters equally, regardless of their profile or career status.
As the UFC navigates these controversies, the handling of rankings will likely remain a hot topic among fans and fighters alike. The promotion’s next steps could impact not only the welterweight division’s landscape but also broader discussions about fairness and transparency in MMA rankings.
