Michael Bisping believes that Ian Garry’s undefeated streak is in jeopardy at UFC 310.
The Irish fighter, holding a flawless 15-0 record, is set to clash with Shavkat Rakhmonov, who also boasts an unbeaten record of 18-0, in a five-round co-main event at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas this Saturday night.
Garry is filling in for welterweight champion Belal Muhammad following Muhammad’s withdrawal from the main event due to a foot infection. This opens up a significant opportunity for Garry to vie for a title shot, but Bisping stresses that this can only materialize if Garry adopts a specific game plan against Rakhmonov, his former training partner.
Bisping Cautions Garry
Bisping recommends that Garry employs a “stick and move” strategy during the fight. He reflects on Garry’s previous match against Geoff Neal, where Neal struggled to land his power shots, resulting in a unanimous decision loss.
“I’ve always stressed the importance of showing respect towards Ian Garry,” Bisping remarked. “He voluntarily took on this fight, but can he fend off takedowns? Rakhmonov is tall for the division, and Garry stands tall at 6ft 3in as well; both possess striking skills.”
Bisping suggests that Garry replicates the tactics he utilized against Neal, emphasizing movement and maximizing his reach. “He must keep Rakhmonov at a distance. If he cannot defend against takedowns, he will encounter serious challenges, and this is not a criticism of Garry.”
He adds, “Garry can leverage his agility, maintain light footwork, and avoid getting into a slugfest. Failing to do so could allow Rakhmonov to capitalize, secure a takedown, and place Ian Garry in a perilous situation.”
Backing from Joaquin Buckley
Prior to his UFC 310 bout, Garry was slated to face Joaquin Buckley on December 14 but was later substituted by Colby Covington in the UFC Tampa main event.
Buckley expresses confidence in Garry’s capability to uphold his flawless record against Rakhmonov. “I have faith that Ian Garry will emerge victorious, likely by a narrow margin as in his previous encounters, be it against MVP or Geoff Neal,” Buckley affirmed.
“His strength lies in his elusiveness. If Rakhmonov cannot catch up to a nimble opponent like Garry, landing impactful strikes will pose a challenge. Rakhmonov tends to bide his time, and direct confrontation with him often proves detrimental. I envision Garry avoiding an all-out brawl, evading effectively, and clinching victory via decision.”
