Undefeated welterweight contenders Shavkat Rakhmonov and Ian Machado Garry collided within the UFC 310 co-main occasion on Saturday at T-Cell Area in Las Vegas.
The battle left one among them with the primary blemish on their skilled file and the opposite on their method to a title battle. Including a layer to the storyline, the 2 briefly educated collectively in late 2022 and early 2023. Rakhmonov entered the bout ranked third within the 170-pound weight class whereas Garry sat within the seventh spot within the rankings.
Rakhmonov had completed each opponent he’d ever confronted. He had a title shot and will have waited for the battle to be rebooked with champion Belal Muhammad, He selected to face Garry as an alternative.
The 2 touched gloves and Rakhmonov took the middle of the cage. Garry bounced on the skin. Rakhmonov clinched and pressed Garry to the cage. They battled for place however not quite a lot of offense passed off within the clinch. Rakhmonov pulled Garry away from the fence and labored to get the battle to the bottom. Garry remained standing displaying spectacular stability. Garry turned Rakhmonov and practically tripped him to the canvas. Garry circled free and landed a leg kick late within the spherical. Rakhmonov linked with a clear proper hand that snapped Garry’s head again. MMAWeekly scored the spherical 10-9 for Rakhmonov.
Garry took the middle of the cage to start out the second body. He landed his jab and backed out of the pocket. Garry touched Rakhmonov with is jab once more. Rakhmonov reacted with a counter proper hand. Garry went excessive with a kick nevertheless it was blocked. Rakhmonov pushed ahead and landed a proper hand. Garry clinched. He delivered a knee and Rakhmonov turned him. They exchanged knees to the legs. Garry displayed large takedown protection. They separated with 30 seconds left after two minutes within the clinch. Garry missed with a spinning again fist. Rakhmonov partially landed one. MMAWeekly scored the spherical 10-9 for Rakhmonov.
Thirty seconds went again within the third spherical earlier than Rakhmonov landed to the physique with a jab. Garry started using kicks extra. Rakhmonov pressed ahead. Garry landed a mix. Rakhmonov responded with a physique shot. Garry continued to land leg kicks. They clinched halfway by the spherical. Garry defend Rakhmonov’s makes an attempt to get the battle to the bottom. The referee separated them with 75 seconds left. The again of Garry’s shorts ripped within the again. Garry landed his jab. Rakhmonov landed a counter proper and close to the bell. MMAWeekly scored the spherical 10-9 for Garry.
Garry modified shorts between rounds. Garry landed a kick to the physique. Rakhmonov delivered a spinning again kick to the physique. Garry landed again to again leg kicks and a jab to the physique. Rakhmonov initiated the clinch. Garry turned him and separated. Rakhmonov modified ranges shortly and took Garry down with a double leg on the halfway mark. Garry labored to regulate Rakhmonov’s posture. Rakhmonov landed proper palms. Garry rolled and obtained to his ft. Garry briefly regarded to lock up an arm-triangle choke however Rakhmonov escaped the submission try. Rakhmonov stored the strain on and Garry finally escaped his grasps. Rakhmonov took Garry down a second time. Garry delivered elbows from the underside. Rakhmonov stood and dropped in with a proper hand. MMAWeekly scored the spherical 10-9 for Rakhmonov.
Garry missed with a left hand and Rakhmonov countered with a left hook that landed. Rakhmonov shortly labored to get a takedown. Garry scrambled and took Rakhmonov’s again. He utilized a physique triangle with 4 minutes remaining within the spherical. Garry locked on a rear-naked choke. Rakhmonov tried to defend. Garry obtained it beneath the chin and squeezed. Rakhmonov obtained free and tried to spin into Garry and achieve high management. Garry stored the physique triangle on. Garry punched from the underside. Garry labored his method again to his ft however Rakhmonov stayed on him. The battle ended with Garry touchdown a proper hand on the break. Shut spherical. MMAWeekly scored the spherical 10-9 for Garry.
The judges scored the battle for Rakhmonov through unanimous resolution. All three judges scorecards learn 48-47. It was the primary time Rakhmonov had gone to a choice in his profession.
