Shavkat Rakhmonov could've opted to wait for his welterweight title shot after Belal Muhammad withdrew from the main event of UFC 310.
Instead, the undefeated "Nomad" chose to stay active and strengthen his position as the top contender by crossing paths with Ian Machado Garry this Saturday in Las Vegas.
In a recent interview on The Ariel Helwani Show during fight week, the dangerous finisher said that he's happy with how everything worked out:
"Yeah, very glad. You know a lot of fighters turned it down and Ian was the one who backed up his word so I'm glad I'm fighting."
The two unbeaten 170-pounders will meet in a five-round co-main event at the T-Mobile Arena but this will not be the first time that they have stood across from each other.
Both men sparred with each other several times during the Irishman's time at Kill Cliff FC in Florida and Garry even released some footage of them doing some light sparring.
"At the time, his wife asked me if she can like film the footage of the sparring and I accepted it but they didn't ask me if they can release it or no and I wonder why they didn't release the other part of the sparring you know."
Rakhmonov claims that if Garry released the full footage, fight fans would see him get submitted by the man that he will collide with this weekend.
With all 18 of his pro wins coming by finish, Rakhmonov isn't putting too much stock into how he wins the fight as long as he gets his hand raised.
"You know I don't know. What's most important for me is the win. Sparring is sparring, fight is different and Ian Garry is a very tough opponent who's a good tactician, who comes in with a good game plan. So for me, it doesn't matter submission or the stoppage you know, for me it's most important to win."
Watch the full interview below:
