Sean Brady is not hopeful for a Shavkat Rakhmonov return.
Rakhmonov (19-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC), who hasn't competed since defeating Ian Machado Garry at UFC 310 in December 2024, underwent surgery in January after re-injuring his knee. The 31-year-old was seen hitting pads a few months ago as he edges closer to a return.
However, despite his progress, Brady (19-2 MMA, 9-2 UFC) thinks as soon as Rakhmonov enters a fight camp, his knee will likely give out again.
"(Carlos) Prates is going to fight Islam and then you have (Michael) Morales fight Shavkat, and the winner of that fights for the belt next," Brady told Daniel Cormier. "He's hitting pads and stuff. He's saying he's coming back. I don't think he's ever going to fight again.
"I think he's done because
every time he tries to come back, his knee just keeps going out. He's not going to be able to make it through a camp. I've never had knee problems, but when you see guys with knee problems, it's just over and over and over again – especially with him. The camp is the hardest part."
Rakhmonov's win over Machado Garry had him as one of the frontrunners for a title shot before he injured his knee. Meanwhile, after a TKO setback to Michael Morales at UFC 322, Brady re-entered the title picture when he dominated Joaquin Buckley at UFC 328 in May.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Sean Brady: I don't think Shavkat Rakhmonov is 'ever going to fight again'
