Shavkat Rakhmonov and Ian Garry are set to go head-to-head at UFC 310, and according to the fans, if the sparring footage is anything to go by, the Kazakhstani could be in trouble.
The eagerly-anticipated clash will go down on December 7, inside the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.
Shavkat Rakhmonov and Ian Garry sparring footage released
While Shavkat Rakhmonov and Ian Garry are scheduled to meet in the octagon in just a matter of weeks, this won’t be the first time the pair have exchanged punches.
‘Nomad’ was initially set to go toe-to-toe with Belal Muhammad for welterweight supremacy. But when the champion sustained an injury, the Irishman jumped in to replace him.
With Rakhmonov considered the ‘boogeyman’ of the division, few fighters are keen to face him in the octagon.
But having already traded leather with the 30-year-old, Garry is convinced he has what it takes to get the job done.
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Leaked sparring footage shows the pair of titans on the mats at the famous Kill Cliff gym, as they attempt to get the better of one another.
Finding his range early, Rakhmonov lands a leg kick, before the Dubliner fires back with a right hand, followed by a knee to the body, which earns the respect of the Uzbek-born fighter, who touches gloves with his opponent.
Having taken the advantage, Garry upped the pace, firing his quick hands and bamboozling his adversary by switching stances. But a missed question mark kick allowed Rakhmonov back into the spar, with the feared operator landing a left hook of his own.
Fans say Ian Garry will beat Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 309 after watching leaked sparring footage
Ultimately, it’s important to remember that the clip available is just a light spar and doesn’t prove what will happen in the cage.
However, the MMA community has still pulled a lot from the video, with many coming to the conclusion that the polarizing Irish warrior has the edge.
One fan said: “I’m tryna tell y’all, Garry going to cook him, don’t be surprised when he does”, while another confessed: “Hurts me to say it, but Garry looks very good.” A third said, simply: “Ian Garry will win.”
However, others are adamant that the footage reveals very little, with a combat sports enthusiast pointing out: “So much different than an actual fight we can’t get nothing out of this really, but still cool to see.”
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