Shavkat RakhmonovChris Unger/Zuffa LLC
Shavkat Rakhmonov maintained his undefeated document and set himself up for a title shot with a unanimous resolution win over Ian Machado Garry in a battle of undefeated welterweight contenders.
Kevin Iole @KevinI
Scores: All three judges had it 48-47 for Shavkat Rakhmonov #UFC310
The bout acquired off to a gradual begin as Rakhmonov was blissful to direct the combat to the fence and Garry Machado was hesitant to tug the set off. His lack of exercise allowed Rakhmonov to preserve some power and drew loads of criticism.
Kenny Florian @kennyflorian
Garry wants to seek out that proper hand counter as Shavkat advances. Can also be staying too engaged within the clinch. Must separate extra and keep away from searching for takedowns. Very seemingly 2-0 for Shavkat. #UFC310
Machado Garry woke issues up somewhat extra within the second spherical. He opened up his placing and was in a position to financial institution some respectable offense to take the spherical on among the media playing cards.
Seán Sheehan @SeanSheehanBA
Clearest spherical to this point, as Garry wins the third. 29-28 Shavkat at this level. Two large rounds forward. #UFC310
Garry’s success within the third body introduced somewhat extra power out of Rakhmonov. He took Garry down, landed some floor and pound and banked one other essential spherical to arrange a fifth-round.
Damon Martin @DamonMartin
39-37 Shavkat after R4
Garry wants a end and he completely, positively can’t quit the takedown#UFC310
Machado Garry wanted to get a end within the fifth spherical. Although he wasn’t in a position to get one, he did come near locking in a rear-naked choke that made for an excellent forwards and backwards combat within the ultimate spherical.
Rakhmonov needs to be celebrated for even taking this combat within the first place. The 30-year-old was initially slated to fulfill welterweight champion Belal Muhammad in the primary occasion of UFC 310, however Muhammad withdrew from the combat as a consequence of a foot harm.
Rakhmonov might have merely waited for Muhammad to return to motion. Nobody would blame him for holding out for a title shot, however he elected to take a alternative combat and keep on the cardboard anyway.
Now, he is a no brainer to tackle Muhammad in his first title protection.
Getting again within the cage was essential for Rakhmonov. He took a while off after his December 2023 victory over Stephen Thompson. The contender acknowledged it was a very good resolution to get his physique proper and ready for the alternatives forward.
“Typically you have to step again and give attention to evolving as a fighter with out the stress of a combat camp,” Rakhmonov informed E. Spencer Kyte of UFC.com. “This time allowed me to refine my expertise, work on areas I needed to enhance, and take a step towards reaching the subsequent degree. It has been a interval of progress, and I really feel like a extra full fighter due to it.”
An evolving model of Rakhmonov is a scary thought for the remainder of the welterweight division. He was a favorite towards Muhammad when the combat was initially introduced and his undefeated document is suffering from spectacular finishes.
He is undoubtedly heading towards a title combat with Muhammad the place he’ll be a notable favourite.
