A last-minute welterweight pairing has quickly become the most eagerly anticipated fight for UFC 310. Belal Muhammad was set to defend his 170-pound title for the first time at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, but he had to withdraw from his bout against the undefeated Shavkat Rakhmonov due to a bone infection.
In his place, 15-0 contender Ian Garry is stepping in for a short-notice title eliminator against his former sparring partner. Fan opinions regarding the co-main event of UFC 310 are mixed, and the staff at BloodyElbow.com are similarly divided about the outcome of Rakhmonov versus Garry, especially with Dana White’s last pay-per-view of the year on the line.
Jordan Ellis shares his prediction: “I expect Shavkat Rakhmonov to make a statement in the UFC 310 co-main event. Ian Garry has eked past much lesser opponents in Michael ‘Venom’ Page and Geoff Neal. Effective game-planning is great, but against the very best you need to prove that you are their equal, rather than trying to edge out a victory with some help from the judges. Rakhmonov by stoppage.”
Donagh Corby offers a different perspective: “Ian Machado Garry has been slowly but surely turning public perception around this week as he heads into the biggest fight of his life with Shavkat Rakhmonov. This is a big change in style for both men from their initially planned bouts, and the MMA maths suggests that Rakhmonov has found a way to finish every one of their common opponents, while Garry has relied on the judges. However, I believe the Irishman has the better, more rounded game and will be able to overwhelm Shavkat. If anyone recalls Garry’s Cage Warriors title win, he thrives past the third.”
Jamie Theodosi adds, “As much as I think Shavkat Rakhmonov is one of the more well-rounded fighters in the UFC, I see a path to victory here for Ian Machado Garry. I envision the Irishman staying on the outside and using his tremendous striking to outpoint Rakhmonov, who showed against Geoff Neal that he has a few holes in his striking defense.”
Tom Llewellyn, however, predicts a different outcome: “While every UFC fan and their mother seems to be siding with the undefeated Kazakh, I’m predicting that ‘The Future’ will shine bright after UFC 310 – Ian Machado Garry will win by a fourth-round TKO after Rakhmonov gasses out from repeated unsuccessful takedown attempts.”
James Sweetnam weighs in, stating, “Shavkat Rakhmonov has looked nothing short of sensational in his MMA career thus far, amassing an incredible record of 18-0, with every single opponent failing to hear the final bell. Ian Garry’s willingness to fight ‘The Boogeyman’ of the welterweight division on short notice suggests something from their sparring sessions convinced him he can upset the odds. Yet, despite my instincts telling me to back the underdog, I can’t go against ‘Nomad’ finding a way to solve his opponent and claiming yet another stoppage victory.”
Finally, Oscar Pick predicts a submission victory for Rakhmonov: “I believe Shavkat Rakhmonov will win via a third-round submission. The Kazakh will have to adjust his training to account for Ian Garry’s late-notice appearance. Still, Rakhmonov has consistently demonstrated his prowess as a submission specialist and should prove on Saturday that he is the top contender in the welterweight division.”
As the anticipation builds for this highly contested matchup, the excitement surrounding UFC 310 continues to grow.
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