A detailed analysis reviewed Shavkat Rakhmonov's fight against Ian Garry, highlighting several key aspects of the Kazakhstani fighter's performance. The analyst praised Rakhmonov's progress at mid-range compared to his bout with Geoff Neal, noting his ability to consistently land powerful single strikes including jabs, overhand rights, left hooks, and spinning backfists. Rakhmonov dominated the clinch in the first four rounds, successfully taking Garry's back, and became the only fighter in UFC history to take Garry down in the center of the octagon, accomplishing this twice. However, concerns were raised about Rakhmonov's low activity at long range, where he was significantly out-struck by Garry's leg kicks. The analyst concluded that while Garry won the long-range battle decisively, Rakhmonov controlled the more important mid-range and close-range exchanges, ultimately deserving the victory despite giving up too many points from distance.
A recent analytical breakdown of Shavkat Rakhmonov's welterweight showdown against Ian Garry has offered a detailed look at what the unbeaten Kazakhstani did well — and where he left points on the table.
Rakhmonov, known as "Nomad," enters the post-fight conversation with a perfect 19-0-0 record and sits third in the UFC welterweight rankings. The 31-year-old from Kazakhstan stands six-foot-four with a 77-inch reach and carries a striking accuracy of 60 percent, well above the divisional average. He also averages 1.4 takedowns and 1.2 submission attempts per 15 minutes, making him a genuine threat across all phases of the fight.
The analysis drew favorable comparisons between Rakhmonov's performance against Garry and his earlier bout with Geoff Neal — a 16-8-0 fighter ranked 15th in the welterweight division. Neal, 35, is a southpaw out of Fortis MMA who averages over five significant strikes per minute, giving him one of the higher output rates at 170 pounds.
According to the review, Rakhmonov showed clear improvement at mid-range, consistently landing single heavy shots including jabs, overhand rights, left hooks, and spinning backfists. He also dominated the clinch for the first four rounds and, notably, became the only fighter in UFC history to take Garry down in the center of the octagon — doing so on two separate occasions.
The critique, however, pointed to Rakhmonov's passivity at long range, where Garry's leg kicks landed at a significant volume and went largely unanswered.
Why it matters
- Rakhmonov's grappling supremacy reinforces why he is ranked third at 170 pounds despite never having lost as a professional
- His mid-range and close-range control proved decisive, even as the long-range phase went against him
- The identified weakness at distance gives future opponents a potential blueprint heading into any title pursuit
