Shavkat Rakhmonov’s rankings removal questioned by welterweight rival

UFC legend Kamaru Usman has given his thoughts on Shavkat Rakhmonov being removed from the rankings due to injury.

As we know, it’s been over a year now since we’ve seen Shavkat Rakhmonov compete in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He’s been dealing with some injury issues behind the scenes and recently, he revealed that he’s suffered another setback on his road to recovery, leading many to question when he’ll return – and whether or not he’ll ever come back the same.

RELATED: Kamaru Usman shares blunt advice to Shavkat Rakhmonov amid injury woes

Shavkat has been seen as a really exciting prospect ever since he made his way into the promotion, and he’s definitely been able to pick up some big wins. Unfortunately, it’s not quite clear what the extent of his issues are, and with welterweight being so stacked right now, timing is everything.

In a recent episode of his podcast alongside Henry Cejudo, Kamaru Usman gave his thoughts on Shavkat Rakhmonov recently being removed from the top 15 of the UFC’s welterweight rankings.

Usman’s view on Shavkat’s rankings removal

“Shavkat Rakhmonov is potentially out for the year,” Usman acknowledged on his Pound 4 Pound podcast alongside 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,” he continued. “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?”

Quotes via Bloody Elbow

Cejudo argued that Jones is one of the best of all time, but even so, Usman certainly has an interesting point given how long Jon remained in the pound-for-pound rankings despite showing no intention of competing. Hopefully, we get to see Rakhmonov back at his very best sooner rather than later.

What do you make of the rankings removal of Shavkat Rakhmonov? Will he ever be able to live up to his full potential in the UFC? Let us know your thoughts on this in the comments below, BJPENN Nation!