UFC 310 Changed Ian Garry’s Perspective on Muhammad-Rakhmonov Title Bout

Ian Garry has a changed opinion of Shavkat Rakhmonov after their fight at UFC 310.

Garry took on Rakhmonov in a clash of undefeated welterweight contenders in the co-headliner at UFC 310 on Dec. 7 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. While Rakhmonov was a -400 favorite on some sportsbooks going into the fight, he faced the toughest test of his career against “The Future.” While the Kazakh roped in a unanimous decision win, he had to go the distance for the first time in 19 career outings.

Rakhmonov was originally scheduled to challenge Belal Muhammad for the title at UFC 310 before the champ was forced out with an injury. “Nomad” is now most likely to get a title shot next after his win over Garry. Garry initially thought Rakhmonov would get the better of Muhammad in a potential fight before trading leather with the Kazakh. However, the Irishman now believes Muhammad can beat Rakhmonov provided “Remember the Name” doesn’t compromise his defense.

“I got him tired very easily… And the truth is I was only really defending,” Garry told Ariel Helwani.”The only thing that made him tired was that I was just defending his takedowns over and over and over again. In the striking element he wasn’t flashy, super fast. So I thought Shavkat was gonna beat Belal in the first case. I feel like definitely Belal is gonna benefit from having 25 minutes of footage to watch. And I feel like Belal can definitely go out there and get the win. As can Shavkat. Because the more aggressive you are against someone like Shavkat, the more holes you could possibly open up for him to finish you. So I’m still massively intrigued by that fight.”

👀Ian Machado Garry initially thought Shavkat Rakhmonov would beat Belal Muhammad but after fighting Shavkat he now believes Belal could beat Shavkat:

“I thought Shavkat was gonna beat Belal in the first case. I feel like definitely Belal is gonna benefit from having 25 minutes… pic.twitter.com/8QH4S6mWW1

— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) December 9, 2024

Garry also claims he has learned enough from his fight against Rakhmonov to beat him in an immediate rematch. “The Future” notes that Rakhmonov was the one more visibly exhausted at the end of their five round clash.

“I keep saying this to my wife, if we fight today five rounds I believe I win… I learn it so fast; I grow and evolve. At the end of the five rounds, he was bollocks. He was breathing out of his arse, he looked broken… I feel like if you put me and him in that Octagon today, I win.”

Ian Garry believes he would beat Shavkat Rakhmonov if they fought again today:

“At the end of the 5 rounds he was bollocks. He was breathing out of his arse, he looked broken. I didn’t.”

🎥 @arielhelwani #UFC #MMApic.twitter.com/nM3M08oi4U

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) December 9, 2024