Welterweight contenders battle it out for a shot at the UFC title this weekend at UFC 310!
💼 30-year old Shavkat Rakhmonov:
- An 18-0 MMA record, undefeated for over 10 years.
- 6-0 in the UFC, all wins achieved via finish, both in the UFC and other promotions. None of his 18 opponents have lasted until the final bell.
- Ranked #3 among welterweight contenders, in the prime of his career.
- The most fearsome and versatile finisher in the history of his weight class, capable of both knockouts and submissions.
💼 27-year old Ian Garry:
- A 15-0 MMA record, undefeated for over 5 years.
- 8-0 in the UFC.
- Ranked #7 among welterweight contenders.
- Has gone the distance five times, securing victory every single time.
Tale of the Tape
Two young contenders, both at their peak or approaching it. Both taking this fight on short notice, originally preparing for different opponents in December. Each is putting their long winning streaks and undefeated records on the line.
Adding another layer of intrigue: Rakhmonov and Garry train at the same gym and have sparred multiple times. Notably, Shavkat reportedly choked out the Irishman at least twice during training. Garry is surely eager for revenge.
There’s no room for excuses like “past their prime” or “worn-out body,” which often comes up in fights involving opponents aged 35 and older. This is what makes the matchup so valuable and why it’s shaping up to be one of the best fights of the year on paper. While many previously mocked Garry, he ultimately stepped up on just three weeks’ notice to face the most fearsome finisher in welterweight history. Respect.
