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The UFC is set to close out 2024 with an electrifying co-main event. Undefeated welterweights Shavkat Rakhmonov and Ian Machado Garry are scheduled to face off at UFC 310 on December 7th. The announcement, made by Dana White himself, confirms that fans are in for a highly anticipated clash between two of the division's brightest stars at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
This matchup wasn't part of the original plan. Shavkat Rakhmonov was initially preparing for a title shot against reigning welterweight champion Belal Muhammad. However, fate had other plans when Muhammad was forced to pull out due to an unexpected toe infection that landed him in the hospital. With Muhammad sidelined, the UFC had to act quickly, and Ian Machado Garry was eager to step in.
Garry wasted no time seizing the opportunity, pivoting from his original bout against Joaquin Buckley, which was set to headline UFC Tampa just a week later on December 14th. Now, the Irish sensation finds himself in the biggest fight of his career, just days earlier than expected.
With both fighters boasting flawless records, this five-round co-main event is set to be a showdown of tactical brilliance and unrelenting aggression. For Rakhmonov, this fight is a chance to solidify his claim as the top contender, especially after missing out on the opportunity to battle Muhammad for the belt. The 29-year-old Kazakh has built a reputation as a relentless finisher, with all of his UFC victories coming from stoppage.
On the other side, Garry’s rise in the UFC has been nothing short of meteoric. The 26-year-old Irishman has showcased an impressive blend of precision striking and unshakeable confidence, which he hopes to bring to the cage against Rakhmonov. With a win, Garry could punch his ticket to a title shot against Muhammad next year.
While Rakhmonov vs. Garry serves as the co-main event, UFC 310 will be headlined by flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja defending his title against former RIZIN champ Kai Asakura, who makes his debut inside the UFC’s Octagon. The card promises to be a spectacular finale to an action-packed year, bringing together elite fighters from across the globe.
Who will keep their perfect record intact and earn the right to challenge Belal Muhammad for the welterweight crown? With both men having something to prove, this fight is shaping up to be a must-watch event for MMA fans.