A detailed breakdown of Shavkat Rakhmonov's fight with Ian Garry highlights Rakhmonov's improvements at mid-range compared to his bout against Geoff Neal, successfully landing single power shots including jabs, overhand rights, left hooks, and spinning backfists. Rakhmonov dominated the clinch in the first four rounds, took Garry's back, and became the only UFC fighter to score takedowns on Garry in the center of the cage, achieving this twice. The analysis notes Rakhmonov won the mid-range (15.75 to 10.25 points) and close-range (18.5 to 11.7) exchanges, while losing badly at long range (1.75 to 19.5) due to minimal low kicks. Overall strike totals were approximately equal at 40-40, but Rakhmonov's control and harder head strikes justified the decision victory. The piece ranks Rakhmonov above Joaquin Buckley, Ian Garry, Carlos Prates, and Belal Muhammad, suggesting he would be competitive with Islam Makhachev.
