UFC 310: Shavkat Rakhmonov Wins, However Ian Machado Garry’s Inventory Simply Went Increased

Shavkat Rakhmonov is as soon as once more set for a crack on the UFC welterweight title, however he got here far nearer to dropping that chance to Ian Machado Garry than most battle followers anticipated.

Kazakhstan’s Rakhmonov, 30, was initially set to problem welterweight champ Belal Muhammad for the title in the principle occasion of Saturday’s UFC 310 card in Las Vegas. When Muhammad was compelled out of the battle with a critical an infection in his toe, nevertheless, Rakhmonov accepted a short-notice battle along with his fellow contender and former coaching accomplice Ian Machado Garry.

The reserving was a direct hit amongst followers, as Rakhmonov would enter the cage with an 18-0 report — and a shocking 100% ending fee — whereas Eire’s Garry was additionally undefeated, at 15-0. Nonetheless, the widespread expectation was that Rakhmonov would win handily — in all probability by means of stoppage.

That is not the way in which it occurred. As an alternative, the Rakhmonov lastly misplaced maintain of his flawless ending fee, settling for a intently contested unanimous choice.

“Ian Garry is a good opponent and it confirmed within the battle,” the soft-spoken Kazakh mentioned in his post-fight interview with commentator Joe Rogan. “I am glad I received. Thanks for supporting me.”

The battle received off to a reasonably gradual begin.

In a considerably shocking flip, Rakhmonov relied closely on his clinch sport within the early going, racking up greater than three minutes of management time towards the cage by the top of the primary spherical. He opened up a bit extra in rounds two and three — as did Garry — however he nonetheless spent a lot of these 10 minutes urgent his opponent into the chainlink.

Rakhmonov’s clinch assault was so relentless that the again of the Garry’s shorts ripped open. It was one thing we would by no means seen within the Octagon earlier than and compelled the Irishman to make a wardrobe change between the third and fourth rounds.

“Which means they’re spending method an excessive amount of time on that Octagon aspect,” joked former two-division champ turned shade commentator Daniel Cormier.

Altering shorts appeared to wake Garry up.

Shavkat lastly scored his first takedown of the battle in spherical 4 — he succeeded on just two of 10 attempts overall — however the Irishman considerably cranked up the offense by means of the championship rounds. His largest second got here within the fifth spherical when he got here very near ending his foe with a rear-naked choke — shut sufficient that Rogan and Cormier have been pushed right into a frenzy of pleasure.

“That was shut,” DC mentioned, solely to have Rogan repeat the identical sentence seconds later.

Rakhmonov, in fact, survived the submission try, however as his choice victory was introduced by Octagon announcer Bruce Buffer, he seemed extra human than ever earlier than thank to Garry’s spectacular effort.

Whereas it was not the blowout many followers anticipated, Rakhmonov’s UFC 310 win reasserted him as the highest contender for Muhammad’s title, and any lingering doubt that he’s subsequent in line disappeared when the champion entered the cage for a face-off with the unbeaten Kazakh.

“I am excited,” the criminally underrated Muhammad mentioned because the followers within the T-Cell enviornment booed, and brilliant blue Kazakh flags waved within the bleachers. “I hear the gang booing, these boos are gonna flip to tears.”

“No extra accidents,” Rakhmonov responded, referencing the an infection that triggered their deliberate UFC 310 battle to crumble. “We’ll discover out who’s higher.”

It stays to be seen when Muhammad and Rakhmonov will meet within the cage, nevertheless, the champion has been cleared to compete, so it ought to be someday within the first half of the brand new 12 months. At any time when it occurs, it should be one of the vital anticipated fights on the calendar.

After his rousing efficiency towards Rakhmonov, Garry’s subsequent battle ought to be nearly as anticipated because the title battle. Whereas he’ll undoubtedly spend the following few weeks mourning the lack of his undefeated report, he proved himself as a really elite welterweight at UFC 310, and it could not be remotely shocking to see him combating for the belt — and even perhaps rematching Rakhmonov — someday within the subsequent few years.

It should take a number of extra wins to make it occur, however after the efficiency he put forth in Las Vegas, it is onerous to think about many welterweights giving him a lot of a problem.