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Ian Machado GarryA late rally was not enough UFC 310 on Saturday, as he suffered a decision loss by Shavkat Rakhmonov.
The former training partners both entered Las Vegas undefeated, but it was Rakhmonov who kept his undefeated streak intact, moving to 19-0. However, Machado Garry (15-1) became Rakhmonov’s first opponent to go the distance with the Kazakh.
The scores read 48-47, 48-47, 48-47 as Rakhmonov retained his spot as the No. 1 welterweight, setting up a fight with champion Belal Muhammad.
Rakhmonov, 30, was set to face Muhammad at UFC 310, but the Palestinian-American withdrew from the main event due to a bone infection.
That prompted Machado Garry, 27, to step in, and his bout against Rakhmonov was billed as the co-main event at T-Mobile Arena.
Much of the build-up was centered on Rahmonov claims he submitted Machado Garry during their past sparring sessions – a claim the Irishman confirmed this week.
Ironically, though, it was Machado Garry who nearly subdued Rahmonov on Saturday.
After Rakhmonov seemingly built a three-round lead, controlling his opponent in the clinch and landing the heavier punches, Machado Garry fought back. In the fourth round, the Irishman began to land more often, while nearly securing a back choke in one grappling exchange.
Rakhmonov survived, but Machado Garry continued his good work, ending on a positive note.
However, it was not enough to wrest the No. 1 spot from Rakhmonov, who is expected to challenge Muhammad in 2025.
In the main event of UFC 310, Alexandre Pantoja retained his flyweight title against Kai Asakura, defeating the Japanese in the second round.
Asakura, a former two-time bantamweight champion in Rizin, signed with the UFC in a bid to give Pantoja a new challenger – after the Brazilian dropped the 125lb division.
And while Asakura landed a number of signature knees, Pantoja was able to take him down and lock him in with a final naked choke, knocking Asakura out.