Shavkat Rakhmonov Reveals 3 Welterweights Who Were Offered UFC 310 Fight

According to Shavkat Rakhmonov, upcoming opponent Ian Garry was among four UFC welterweights offered the short-notice assignment for this weekend. Rakhmonov and Garry are set to co-headline UFC 310, which comes as the promotion’s final pay-per-view of 2024. The pair will collide across five rounds with a future shot at Belal Muhammad’s title on the […]

According to Shavkat Rakhmonov, upcoming opponent Ian Garry was among four UFC welterweights offered the short-notice assignment for this weekend.

Rakhmonov and Garry are set to co-headline UFC 310, which comes as the promotion’s final pay-per-view of 2024. The pair will collide across five rounds with a future shot at Belal Muhammad’s title on the line.

The Kazakh star was originally expecting his championship opportunity to come to fruition on Saturday night but an injury to Muhammad spoiled those plans. As a result, “Nomad” must now defend his status as top contender.

In “Remember the Name’s” place has stepped Garry, who was initially preparing to headline next weekend’s UFC Fight Night in Tampa against Joaquin Buckley. That booking evidently could have stayed together had one of three other names offered the Rakhmonov fight given positive responses.

During a recent appearance on Submission Radio, Rakhmonov claimed the UFC sent offers to three different names in the division — Kamaru Usman, Colby Covington, and Carlos Prates.

The undefeated welterweight said Usman accepted before backing out, Covington straight up rejected, and an injury prevented the rising Prates from getting a big chance to climb the ranks into title contention.

“I wanted to fight Kamaru Usman. But he didn’t accept the fight,” Rakhmonov said. “Also, they offered (it) to Prates, but he was injured. And Colby Covington, he rejected the fight. And I’m happy that Ian Garry accepted the fight. … In the beginning, (Usman) accepted the fight, and then he rejected. Maybe he didn’t want to risk.”

Garry will hope that their loss is his gain when he looks to be the one who takes Rakhmonov’s ‘0’ — and maintain his in the process.

The Kazakh and Irish fighters will set the stage for a championship main event inside T-Mobile Arena, as Alexandre Pantoja welcomes Kai Asakura to the UFC in defense of his flyweight belt.

UFC 310 Fighter Confirms Retirement After 3 More Bouts: ‘I Ain’t No Spring Chicken’

One fighter set to be in action at this weekend’s UFC 310 pay-per-view is close to hanging up the gloves. Mixed martial arts’ leading promotion is set to stage its final numbered event of the year on Saturday night in Las Vegas, with a host of prominent names set to make the walk inside T-Mobile […]

One fighter set to be in action at this weekend’s UFC 310 pay-per-view is close to hanging up the gloves.

Mixed martial arts’ leading promotion is set to stage its final numbered event of the year on Saturday night in Las Vegas, with a host of prominent names set to make the walk inside T-Mobile Arena.

That even includes on the early prelims, which will see a former champion in Chris Weidman making his return. The 40-year-old is set to do battle with Eryk Anders three weeks on from a bout of food poisoning forcing their matchup off the UFC 309 lineup on fight day.

Having quickly recovered, Anders’ sights are firmly back on Weidman as he looks to make it back-to-back wins in 2024. But even if he does close out the year on a streak, the former American football linebacker has no plans to make a run.

During an interview with Thomas Gerbasi for UFC.com, Anders reiterated his goals for the future and timeline for retirement. Having put a five-fight limit on the remainder of his career in June 2023, the 37-year-old stayed true to his word by branding this weekend’s assignment one of three left for him inside the cage.

“I’m only going to fight three more times,” he said. “This would be one of the three. And two more times after this. So I don’t think so. But it’s still a fun fight, so I’m really looking forward to that.”

During his UFC career, the former LFA champion has picked up wins over the likes of Markus Perez, Vinicius Moreira, Gerald Meerschaert, Darren Stewart, and Kyle Daukaus. He’s struggled to stay consistent, however, with his charge up the ladder being stalled in defeats to names like Lyoto Machida, Thiago Santos, Elias Theodorou, Khalil Rountree and Krzysztof Jotko.

With his aspirations of a push toward UFC gold evidently a thing of the past, Anders will now be focused on closing out his career in style, starting on Dec. 7 at the expense of Weidman.

Kamaru Usman Addresses Backlash For Skipping Short-Notice Shavkat Rakhmonov Fight At UFC 310

Kamaru Usman isn’t holding back against the online criticism after choosing to pass on a short-notice clash with Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310. Rakhmonov was originally slated to challenge reigning welterweight champion Belal Muhammad in the headlining bout of the UFC’s final pay-per-view of the year on Dec. 7 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las […]

Kamaru Usman isn’t holding back against the online criticism after choosing to pass on a short-notice clash with Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310.

Rakhmonov was originally slated to challenge reigning welterweight champion Belal Muhammad in the headlining bout of the UFC’s final pay-per-view of the year on Dec. 7 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. However, the highly anticipated clash was derailed when Muhammad was sidelined by a bone infection in his foot, leaving “Nomad” without an opponent for the big night.

“The Nigerian Nightmare” initially showed interest in stepping up for a last-minute showdown with Rakhmonov, even hinting that he was gearing up in case the opportunity came his way. However, the former UFC welterweight champion later reconsidered, admitting that the date would come too soon for him to be adequately prepared for such a high-stakes clash.

As a result, Ian Garry seized the opportunity to step in and face Rakhmonov, relinquishing his previously scheduled main event spot against Joaquin Buckley at the UFC Fight Night in Tampa on Dec. 14.

This decision sparked a wave of criticism aimed at Usman, with many accusing him of avoiding the undefeated Kazakh.

During a recent episode of his Pound 4 Pound Podcast, Usman fired back at the fan backlash over his decision. The 37-year-old Nigerian-born American expressed his frustration, stating that fans were quick to judge without fully understanding the circumstances.

“I’m seeing people online going, ‘Oh, you’re scared, you ducked him,’” Usman said. “When people who are your fans or fans of a fighter don’t get their desired wish, ‘That’s the fight I want,’ then it’s like, ‘Oh no, that guy must be scared because he didn’t take the fight.’ Like, guys, shut up.

“World champion, defending belts time and time again, oh, he’s scared? Yeah, shut up. Just because you didn’t get what you wanted — guess what? It’s like your mom telling you, ‘No, you can’t have that toy today.’ You know, you can’t have that toy, so shut your mouth.”

Usman was last seen in action at UFC 294 in October 2023, where he suffered a majority decision loss to Khamzat Chimaev in a short-notice middleweight bout.

“The Nigerian Nightmare” is currently navigating the toughest stretch of his career, having lost his 170-pound title to Leon Edwards at UFC 278 in August 2022. Since that defeat, he has struggled, posting an 0-2 record in his past two Octagon outings.

Joaquin Buckley: Ian Garry Will Beat Shavkat Rakhmonov By ‘Fleeing’ At UFC 310

UFC welterweight contender Joaquin Buckley is expecting Ian Garry to maintain his ‘0’ when he does battle with fellow undefeated contender Shavkat Rakhmonov. Garry has been drafted in on late notice to co-headline this weekend’s UFC 310 pay-per-view in Las Vegas, where the T-Mobile Arena will play host to a crucial clash at 170 pounds […]

UFC welterweight contender Joaquin Buckley is expecting Ian Garry to maintain his ‘0’ when he does battle with fellow undefeated contender Shavkat Rakhmonov.

Garry has been drafted in on late notice to co-headline this weekend’s UFC 310 pay-per-view in Las Vegas, where the T-Mobile Arena will play host to a crucial clash at 170 pounds between two of the top unbeaten talents at 170 pounds.

While Rakhmonov was originally set to challenge for Belal Muhammad’s gold in the main event, an infection forced the champion’s withdrawal. With that, the Kazakh standout will have to defend his top contender spot opposite a former training partner.

Betting odds currently have “Nomad” a signifcant favorite to do so, with his line sitting at -375 on DraftKings. The man who had his matchup with Garry fall through as a result of the recent shuffle, however, sees the underdog having his hand raised.

During an interview with MiddleEasy, Buckley provided his thoughts on Garry’s new bout with Rakhmonov, which spoiled “New Mansa’s” plan to become the first to defeat the Irishman a week later in the UFC Tampa headliner.

In recent bouts, “The Future” has been criticized for grinding out decision wins with a technical and safe approach. And Buckley expects the Dubliner to employ that exact strategy en route to an upset at UFC 310.

“A lot of people are not going to believe me, but I think Ian Garry is going to win – by the skin of his teeth, just like the rest of his wins that he had,” Buckley said. “Whether that’s with ‘MVP’ or with Geoff Neal. He does a good job of staying safe and surviving, and if you don’t have the feet to kind of hunt down guys like that, where they’re constantly moving and constantly evading, and you set up traps.

“Obviously, you’re not going to be able to land those power shots. … If you get in the fire with Shavkat Rakhmonov, you’re going to get burned,” Buckley continued. “But I don’t see Ian Garry running into that burning house. He’s going to try to flee and evade the whole time, and I can see Ian Garry getting his hand raised by decision.”

Garry will look to prove Buckley’s prediction correct come fight night versus Rakhmonov in “Sin City” this weekend — thought perhaps in a more emphatic and impressive faction than the American is envisioning.

“New Mansa,” meanwhile, has a new target in his sights for Dec. 14 in Tampa.

The #9-ranked contender will still have the opportunity to climb the ranks, as he looks to add to the woes of Colby Covington following his third failed bid for the undisputed crown last December.

Joaquin Buckley: Ian Garry Will Beat Shavkat Rakhmonov By ‘Fleeing’ At UFC 310

UFC welterweight contender Joaquin Buckley is expecting Ian Garry to maintain his ‘0’ when he does battle with fellow undefeated contender Shavkat Rakhmonov. Garry has been drafted in on late notice to co-headline this weekend’s UFC 310 pay-per-view in Las Vegas, where the T-Mobile Arena will play host to a crucial clash at 170 pounds […]

UFC welterweight contender Joaquin Buckley is expecting Ian Garry to maintain his ‘0’ when he does battle with fellow undefeated contender Shavkat Rakhmonov.

Garry has been drafted in on late notice to co-headline this weekend’s UFC 310 pay-per-view in Las Vegas, where the T-Mobile Arena will play host to a crucial clash at 170 pounds between two of the top unbeaten talents at 170 pounds.

While Rakhmonov was originally set to challenge for Belal Muhammad’s gold in the main event, an infection forced the champion’s withdrawal. With that, the Kazakh standout will have to defend his top contender spot opposite a former training partner.

Betting odds currently have “Nomad” a signifcant favorite to do so, with his line sitting at -375 on DraftKings. The man who had his matchup with Garry fall through as a result of the recent shuffle, however, sees the underdog having his hand raised.

During an interview with MiddleEasy, Buckley provided his thoughts on Garry’s new bout with Rakhmonov, which spoiled “New Mansa’s” plan to become the first to defeat the Irishman a week later in the UFC Tampa headliner.

In recent bouts, “The Future” has been criticized for grinding out decision wins with a technical and safe approach. And Buckley expects the Dubliner to employ that exact strategy en route to an upset at UFC 310.

“A lot of people are not going to believe me, but I think Ian Garry is going to win – by the skin of his teeth, just like the rest of his wins that he had,” Buckley said. “Whether that’s with ‘MVP’ or with Geoff Neal. He does a good job of staying safe and surviving, and if you don’t have the feet to kind of hunt down guys like that, where they’re constantly moving and constantly evading, and you set up traps.

“Obviously, you’re not going to be able to land those power shots. … If you get in the fire with Shavkat Rakhmonov, you’re going to get burned,” Buckley continued. “But I don’t see Ian Garry running into that burning house. He’s going to try to flee and evade the whole time, and I can see Ian Garry getting his hand raised by decision.”

Garry will look to prove Buckley’s prediction correct come fight night versus Rakhmonov in “Sin City” this weekend — thought perhaps in a more emphatic and impressive faction than the American is envisioning.

“New Mansa,” meanwhile, has a new target in his sights for Dec. 14 in Tampa.

The #9-ranked contender will still have the opportunity to climb the ranks, as he looks to add to the woes of Colby Covington following his third failed bid for the undisputed crown last December.

VIDEO: UFC 310 Countdown Episode Ahead Of Pantoja vs. Asakura & Rakhmonov vs. Garry

Fight week for the UFC 310 pay-per-view this Saturday has kicked off with the release of the promotion’s latest Countdown episode. Under the spotlight in this edition is the headliner between Alexandre Pantoja and Kai Asakura and the co-main event between Shavkat Rakhmonov and Ian Garry. Saturday’s UFC 310 lineup is topped by a championship clash, with flyweight kingpin […]

Fight week for the UFC 310 pay-per-view this Saturday has kicked off with the release of the promotion’s latest Countdown episode.

Under the spotlight in this edition is the headliner between Alexandre Pantoja and Kai Asakura and the co-main event between Shavkat Rakhmonov and Ian Garry.

Saturday’s UFC 310 lineup is topped by a championship clash, with flyweight kingpin Pantoja (28-5) looking to add a third successful defense to his reign, which got underway with a memorable victory over Brandon Moreno at UFC 290 in July 2023.

If “The Cannibal” is to continue his rule atop the 125-pound mountain, he must stall the title ambitions of a UFC newcomer in Asakura (21-4). The former Rizin bantamweight champ marks a rare example of a debuting fighter competing for gold inside the Octagon, which he’ll enter off the back of consecutive knockouts of Yuki Motoya and Juan Archuleta.

Before those two collide in the main event at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena, the stakes will also be high for a crucial five-round welterweight clash.

After an infection resulted in UFC Welterweight Champion Belal Muhammad’s withdrawal from his scheduled defense against Rakhmonov (18-0), some matchup shuffling has seen Garry (15-0) drafted in to face his fellow undefeated contender.

While “Nomad” recently got the better of Stephen Thompson by way of submission, “The Future” outpointed Michael “Venom” Page during International Fight Week this past summer. They’ll now look to secure top contender status heading into 2025 to ensure they’ll be standing across from champ Muhammad following his recovery.

Ahead of those two contests in “Sin City,” fans can catch previews in the full episode of UFC 310 Countdown on the promotion’s YouTube channel.