Someone’s O has got to go: We’re now just a few days away from another stacked UFC PPV, one that features an undefeated Kazakh finisher vs an undefeated Irish prodigy in the co-main.
Having trained together on numerous occasions, it’s safe to say that ‘Nomad’ and ‘The Future’ know each other’s game pretty well – although Ian Machado Garry has now revealed an intriguing private conversation that he once had with the Kazakh’s coach out in Florida.
UFC 310 Countdown: Garry motivated by conversation with Rakhmonov’s coach
Even as Ian Machado Garry was starting out in the UFC, he was searching for a home base to fine-tune his skills and settled, albeit temporarily, on Kill Cliff FC out in Florida – the same MMA gym that was already hosting Shavkat Rakhmonov.
“When I got there, Shavkat was training there as well, me and Shavkat have trained a lot together, [and] I think he’s a phenomenal fighter,” stated Machado Garry on Countdown, revealing that Rakhmonov’s coach was already considering them both as future champions.
“Henri Hooft told me that Shavkat Rakhmonov and him had a conversation [in which] he said ‘Shavkat knows that you’re going to be the champion one day, but he says me first and him later.’
“It’s a shame that one of us has to lose [at UFC 310], but I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure that he’s not getting his hand raised.”
Garry remains one of the most self-confident fighters on the entire UFC roster and ‘The Future’ is itching to prove his worth by upsetting the bookies on December 7 as the sizable betting underdog.
“There are humans walking around this Earth that have just been gifted talent, and I believe that I’m one of them… When it comes to confidence, you need to tell the world what you’re going to do and go do it.
“My goal in fighting is to leave behind a legacy where it is unarguable that I am one of the greatest of all time – my rise has been perfect so far, but there’s so much more to come… I’m ready, I was born ready for this opportunity [and] I’m telling you now, December 7, I am going to beat Shavkat.”
- EXCLUSIVE: Alexandre Pantoja explains how he intends to emulate Anderson Silva against Kai Asakura at UFC 310
UFC 310 Countdown: Shavkat Rakhmonov believes he’s far from perfect
Contrary to Garry’s outspoken nature, Rakhmonov hasn’t really addressed those training sessions with his UFC 310 opponent; instead, he opted to use his time on Countdown to build the consequence of his incoming victory.
“Fans in Kazakhstan have been waiting for someone to represent our country, and Kazakh fans want someone to show some exciting, worthy fights in the UFC… The reason [why] I finish my fights is that I’m a versatile fighter – now I am ready to secure my spot as the number one contender.”
Despite holding a perfect professional record of 18-0, Rakhmonov believes that he’s far from a finished product – a truly terrifying prospect considering that 10 of those 18 wins have come via (often brutal) stoppage.
“I’ve been training at Kill Cliff gym for about three years. There are many fighters at my level and the competition is tougher here. I think I have enough abilities, but I need to keep improving them; this sport doesn’t stand still, so it’s important to develop skills in all areas continuously.”
As aptly noted by the popular Kazakh, “In this weight class, I’m a problem for anyone.”
But can Garry be the first to solve that problem? Find out on December 7, when the promotion returns to the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas for UFC 310: Pantoja vs Asakura.