Rakhmonov Says He Fought Garry With ACL Tear, Questions 2 Dagestani Stars
Updated
Updated · MMA Fighting · Sep 7
Rakhmonov Says He Fought Garry With ACL Tear, Questions 2 Dagestani Stars
3 articles · Updated · MMA Fighting · Sep 7
Summary
Shavkat Rakhmonov said he should never have taken the Ian Machado Garry fight, revealing he entered the bout with meniscus and ACL damage and won a No. 1 contender decision anyway.
Two weeks before the fight, Rakhmonov said his old knee injury was still causing major swelling and that he "completely lacked a ligament," leaving him unable to properly feel some strikes.
The 19-0 welterweight said he took the risk because he had already been out for a year and wanted to compete, adding that Khabib Nurmagomedov or Islam Makhachev would have refused in the same condition.
Another knee setback has now kept him out for a full additional year, and after Makhachev questioned whether he will fight again, Rakhmonov said only that he hopes to return in 2027 and chase the title.