A detailed breakdown of Shavkat Rakhmonov's fight against Ian Garry highlights what impressed and what raised questions. Rakhmonov showed significant progress at mid-range compared to his fight with Neal, regularly landing strong single strikes on Garry including jabs, overhand rights, left hooks, and spinning backfists. He dominated the clinch in the first four rounds, securing back takes and controlling Garry in deep underhooks. Rakhmonov became the only UFC fighter to take Garry down in the center of the cage, doing so twice and landing ground strikes from top position. However, Rakhmonov was criticized for low activity at long range, landing very few leg kicks across four of five rounds and conceding significant points on the outside. The analysis scored the fight roughly even overall at 40-40 in total points, with Garry's half coming from low and oblique kicks, but gave Rakhmonov the win based on quality control and damage to the head. The reviewer believes Rakhmonov is a quarter to half a class above Moraes and Garry.
A detailed technical breakdown of Shavkat Rakhmonov's recent victory over Ian Garry has concluded that the unbeaten Kazakh showed meaningful improvement in several areas while leaving clear room to grow, particularly at long range.
Rakhmonov, 31, enters the welterweight rankings at number three with a spotless 19-0-0 record. Standing six-foot-four with a 77-inch reach, the orthodox fighter out of DAR Team is one of the division's most physically imposing presences. He lands 3.25 significant strikes per minute at a remarkable 60 percent accuracy, and his grappling credentials are equally strong, averaging 1.4 takedowns and 1.2 submission attempts per 15 minutes.
The analysis found Rakhmonov considerably more active and precise at mid-range than in his previous outing against Neal, regularly connecting with jabs, overhand rights, left hooks, and spinning backfists. He controlled the clinch through the first four rounds, repeatedly securing back takes and maintaining dominant underhook positions. His two takedowns in the center of the cage against Garry were noted as historically notable — no other UFC fighter had managed that feat against the Irishman. From top position, Rakhmonov accumulated meaningful ground strikes.
The criticism centered on his work at long range. He threw very few leg kicks across four of the five rounds, conceding that zone almost entirely to Garry, whose low and oblique kicks generated a significant portion of his output. The reviewer scored the bout roughly 40-40 in total points yet awarded Rakhmonov the decision based on the quality and damage of his headshots.
Why it matters
- Rakhmonov's clinch and grappling control remain elite weapons at welterweight, capable of neutralizing most opponents
- His long-range activity and leg kick volume are identifiable weaknesses that a polished opponent could exploit over five rounds
- The reviewer assessed Rakhmonov as meaningfully ahead of both Moraes and Garry in overall class, raising the stakes of whatever divisional assignment comes next
