The level of talent in the UFC currently is incredible with names like Alex Pereira, Ilia Topuria, Islam Makhachev, and Khamzat Chimaev, to name a few. Joining that list of elite mixed martial arts specialists is undefeated Kazakh phenom Shavkat Rakhmonov. Since his debut against Alex Oliveira in 2020, ‘Nomad’ has put the welterweight division on notice. His blend of striking, grappling, and submission skills along with his composure has made him a nightmare matchup for anyone being paired with him.

With each fight, he has showcased a rare ability to dominate all aspects of MMA, earning finishes in all his victories. Dubbed a future title contender, Rakhmonov’s calm demeanor outside the cage contrasts with his ferocity inside it. However, his next opponent at UFC 310 might just be his toughest challenge to date, according to a former UFC fighter and podcaster.

Brendan Schaub feels Ian Garry can end the winning run of Shavkat Rakhmonov

The undefe͏ated UFC wel͏terweight titl͏e pro͏spects, Ian G͏ar͏r͏y and Shavkat R͏akhmono͏v are all set to take each other on a͏t UF͏C 310. ‘Nomad͏’ was initially scheduled to clash ͏w͏ith Bel͏al Mu͏h͏ammad ͏in the main event of December’s last PPV. However, a sudden infection resulting in a bone injury forced Muhammad to pull out of the fight. To take his place, many fight͏e͏rs͏ threw their names in the mix to face Rakhmonov, but UFC͏ CEO D͏ana White ultimately chose the I͏rishman͏ for ͏the͏ matchup. ͏However, it seems the match-up might not be an easy one for ‘Nomad’.

Brendan Schaub and Bryan Callen took to their ‘The Fighter and The Kid’ podcast to discuss the matchup, with Callen asking, “How do you see that fight going Ian Garry vs Shavkat Rakhmonov?”. Wasting no time, Schaub replied, ” It’s tough to pick against Shavkat but if anyone’s going to do it, it’s going to be Ian Garry. If Ian Garry wins though, it’s not an exciting fight. [He] stays on the outside, he keeps on the outside.” The match-up is indeed interesting as Garry’s confidence shines in his diverse arsenal, blending crisp boxing, precision kicks, and effective counterattacks. He thrives on controlling the pace from the outside and forcing opponents into his counter-striking rhythm.

‘The Future’ has captivated UFC fans with his sharp and calculated fighting style. Drawing comparisons to Conor McGregor, Garry combines pinpoint striking with fluid movement, making him a dangerous threat in the welterweight division. His ability to read opponents and adjust his approach mid-fight highlights a level of maturity beyond his years. This is what Brendan Schaub feels might be the deciding factor in their upcoming clash.

However, Rakhmonov is more of a grappler and uses his wrestling skills to wear down his opponents. Fans are super excited about the event and should expect nothing but fireworks when these two meet. But this will not be the first time the pair will face each other in combat. They had previously met each other in a training session and it was ‘Nomad’ who came out on top.

Shavkat Rakhmonov once made easy work of Ian Garry during a training session

During an interview with the Russian podcast UshaTayka, Abdulaziz Datsilaev, a fighter from KillCliff gym, shared some significant insights about a potential matchup between Ian Garry and Shavkat Rakhmonov. According to Datsilaev, the two undefeated welterweights had already crossed paths during a training session at the gym. In their encounter, Rakhmonov reportedly showcased his grappling prowess by submitting Garry twice, highlighting the Kazakh fighter’s dominance in ground exchanges.

He said, “He had a sparring session with the guy Ian Garry, so he choked him out twice. They were in a clinch. If I’m not mistaken, he grabbed him like this and caught him standing with a ninja choke right away, ”. However, he also made it clear that the Irish fighter won’t be an easy opponent at UFC 310 – “Ian Garry is not the one to underestimate either. [He has] fast hands, he is fast, you know. He can land a good one [with his] good reach. His boxing is very hard to deal with. He’s always on his bike. It’s really hard to catch him.” 

As both fighters climb the rankings, the prospect of Garry’s striking brilliance clashing with Rakhmonov’s all-around mastery has fans buzzing. Their contrasting styles and personalities create the perfect storm for an unforgettable rivalry, one that could shape the welterweight division for years to come. Who do you think will win the fight between the two? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.