Shavkat Rakhmonov was originally set to challenge for the UFC title at UFC 310, but his plans changed when champion Belal Muhammad had to withdraw due to a fractured foot. Determined to stay on the card, Shavkat accepted a fight against Ian Machado Garry, an undefeated contender ranked seventh in the division.
Shavkat Rakhmonov Says He Tapped Out Ian Garry in Training
Interestingly, Shavkat and Ian have trained together before, sparring a handful of times. Ian even shared a clip of their training online, but Shavkat claims it doesn’t show everything. According to him, Ian once had to tap out to a choke during one of their sessions. This adds an extra layer of drama to their upcoming clash.
“At the time, his wife asked me if she could film the footage of the sparring and I accepted it. But they didn’t ask me if they could release it, and I wonder why they didn’t release the other part of the sparring,” Rakhmonov said on the Ariel Helwani Show. “Ian Garry taps… It was a submission, a choke.”
What happens in practice doesn’t always matter much. Shavkat knows that training isn’t the same as a real fight. He thinks Ian “The Future” will be a strong and tricky opponent when they meet in the cage.
“What’s most important for me is the win. Sparring is sparring. A fight is different,” Rakhmonov said. “Ian Garry is a very tough opponent, who’s a good tactician, who comes in with a good game plan. For me, it doesn’t matter, submission or stoppage. For me, what’s most important is to win.”
Why Shavkat Rakhmonov Took a Fight Instead of Waiting for Gold
Rakhmonov didn’t have to take a fight when Muhammad got hurt. He could have waited for the title fight, but he chose to prove he’s the top contender. If he wins this weekend, he believes he’ll get the chance to fight Muhammad for the title next.
“I could have fought for the title. I could have just waited for the title fight, but I wanted to fight. I wanted to stay active and strengthen my position as the No. 1 contender. So, for sure I’m fighting for the title after the win,” Rakhmonov said.
Michael Bisping, a former UFC champion, knows a lot about fighting and loves to give his thoughts on big matchups. He’s excited for the upcoming fight between Ian Garry and Shavkat Rakhmonov, and has some important advice for Garry. Bisping warns that Garry needs to be careful during the fight, or Rakhmonov might land a punch or move that knocks him out cold.
