Shavkat Rakhmonov believes Ian Machado Garry’s three step plan to battle Khamzat Chimaev at middleweight received’t get to step two.
Rakhmonov and Garry will battle in a five-round co-main occasion this Saturday at UFC 310 in a pivotal welterweight conflict with a title shot in opposition to Belal Muhammad probably on the road.
In a latest interview on The Ariel Helwani Present, Garry stated his plan is to beat Rakhmonov, win the welterweight title, then transfer as much as middleweight to battle Chimaev. Rakhmonov’s believes Garry is considering method too far forward.
“Yeah, I believe he’s going to stumble in step one,” Rakhmonov instructed MMA Combating.
Rakhmonov was initially scheduled to problem Muhammad in the primary occasion earlier than the brand new champion was compelled to withdraw on account of a nasty bone an infection. The undefeated fighter may’ve waited and walked right into a championship bout when Muhammad healed up, however Rakhmonov determined to place his title shot on the road as an alternative — principally for him, and in addition to silence doubters that say he hasn’t earned the suitable to battle for the belt.
“The primary motive is as a result of I didn’t battle for nearly a 12 months and we don’t understand how a lot it would take for Belal to return again and to recuperate, so I needed to battle on this date to remain energetic and that’s why I agreed to combating Garry.
“For positive [I wanted to prove I earned the title shot to fans]. Some individuals have doubts in me however I don’t doubt myself, and possibly after the battle with Ian Garry, they’ll change their thoughts.”
Garry will get his greatest matchup so far and appears to enhance to 3-0 in 2024 — all in opposition to ranked opposition. “The Future” was examined in each of his bouts this 12 months, successful a pair of shut selections in opposition to Geoff Neal and Michael Web page.
Rakhmonov paid consideration to his previous sparring associate’s half-hour of octagon time.
“Yeah, you already know, it was two aggressive fights, fairly shut,” Rakhmonov defined. “I simply thought that Ian received, [but] it may have went both method. That’s why if you happen to don’t wish to go away any questions, it’s a must to end fights, however Ian received each these fights by resolution. That’s what occurs within the UFC generally.”
Right now, Rakhmonov says he hasn’t been given any indication when Muhammad may return for his first title protection since defeating Leon Edwards at UFC 304. His focus is on Garry this Saturday, and regardless of the way it must occur, Rakhmonov is assured he’ll get his likelihood at UFC gold in 2025.
“All of that can finish with my hand being raised with my victory,” Rakhmonov stated.
