UFC 310: A Night of Unforeseen Twists and Turns

18 fights, 18 wins, 18 finishes. Shavkat Rakhmonov's undefeated record is a testament to his dominance in the welterweight division. His upcoming fight against Ian Machado Garry at UFC 310 promised to be one of the most anticipated matchups of the year. Originally, the fight was slated to be Belal Muhammad's first title defense against Rakhmonov, but Muhammad's injury forced the UFC to seek a replacement opponent.

Many fighters declined the daunting task of facing the undefeated Kazakh, but the Dublin fighter, Ian Machado Garry, stepped up to the challenge, agreeing to face Rakhmonov within a matter of weeks. This bold decision highlighted Garry's confidence and ambition to climb to the top of the welterweight division.

The Undefeated Juggernaut: Shavkat Rakhmonov

Rakhmonov's fighting style is characterized by his versatility and precision. He possesses a formidable arsenal, seamlessly blending striking and grappling techniques. His power in his hands and kicks is capable of ending a fight at any moment, while his submission skills are equally lethal. He can pull a submission out of nowhere, a quality that has made him a truly terrifying opponent for many in the division. Many have avoided him because of his unique skillset and his potential to end a fight at any moment.

Rakhmonov's Road to UFC 310

Rakhmonov's last win came against Stephen Thompson at UFC 296, a fight where he showcased his complete skill set, demonstrating the high level of his performance.

The Rising Star: Ian Machado Garry

Machado Garry, entering this fight with an impressive 15-0 record, has earned a reputation for his technical striking abilities and ability to keep the fight at range. If he can maintain a distance and keep the fight on the feet, it could potentially frustrate Rakhmonov's attempts to take the fight to the ground and disrupt his rhythm. Machado Garry is confident that he can make this a technical battle, lasting all five rounds. His previous win against Michael Venom Page at UFC 303 showcased his skill in a five round fight.

Machado Garry's Strategy Against Rakhmonov

Machado Garry's strategy against Rakhmonov is simple; keep the fight at range and on his feet. This will disrupt Rakhmonov's ability to clinch, shoot takedowns and use submissions. Machado Garry is also confident he can last the distance against the powerful Rakhmonov.

UFC 310: Beyond the Main Event

The UFC 310 card wasn't limited to just the highly-anticipated clash between Rakhmonov and Machado Garry. The main event saw Alexandre Pantoja successfully defend his flyweight title against Kai Asakura via a second round rear naked choke submission. Asakura's debut fight in the UFC was for the title, marking a notable event in the fight history of the UFC. Pantoja, known for his exciting fights, dominated the fight using a striking and grappling combination, leveraging his superior grappling ability to secure the victory. He's rarely in uneventful fights and this was no exception.

In another notable bout, Cyril Gane and Alexander Volkov faced off in a rematch. Gane has had a challenging road to title contention, having previously lost to Francis Ngannou and Jon Jones. While Volkov has secured four consecutive wins since his 2022 loss to Tom Aspinall. The fight was a close one and ultimately decided by a split decision victory for Gane, leaving Volkov still needing to contend with Gane's impressive speed and movement, and Gane himself needs to contend with Volkov's grappling advantage. A win for either fighter could propel them towards a title shot, especially considering Jon Jones' uncertain future in the division. The featherweight division also saw action with Aljamain Sterling facing Mosvar Evloev in a fight that had major implications for title contention.

A Night of Unforgettable Moments: The Aftermath

In the end, Shavkat Rakhmonov emerged victorious against Ian Machado Garry, winning via unanimous decision. Though Machado Garry mounted a late rally, he was unable to overcome Rakhmonov's well-rounded skills and experience. The fight went the distance for the first time in Rakhmonov's career, but this only served to highlight the competitiveness of the matchup and Machado Garry's resilience. This win solidified Rakhmonov's position as the No. 1 contender for the welterweight title, setting up an inevitable showdown with Belal Muhammad. Rakhmonov himself should be celebrated for even taking this fight, stepping up in short notice to fight Machado Garry. Getting back in the cage was important for Rakhmonov, as he took some time off to refine his skills and focus on evolving as a fighter. This allowed him to improve on his skills and move forward in his career.

The event showcased a blend of established champions and rising stars, delivering a thrilling night of mixed martial arts. The results of this UFC event highlighted the depth of talent in the UFC, showing its competitiveness across weight divisions. The future of the UFC welterweight and flyweight divisions is looking bright and this event showcased that.