Stunning Insider Revelation

In a stunning insider revelation, MMA commentator Daniel Cormier, who had a front-row seat for UFC 310 held at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, disclosed that Shavkat Rakhmonov might have entered the octagon nursing a significant knee injury during his highly anticipated welterweight bout against Ian Machado Garry.

Rakhmonov's Victory Despite Adversity

Rakhmonov managed to secure a victory over Garry via unanimous decision, but it was not without a fight. Garry, regarded as a formidable contender, pushed Rakhmonov to the limits, presenting the toughest challenge of his career. Cormier, reacting to the fight post-event, suggested that Rakhmonov's performance was hindered, having reportedly torn his MCL prior to the clash.

Cormier's Insights on the Fight

“If I’m Belal Muhammad, I’m actually kind of happy watching this fight tonight because Shavkat Rakhmonov did not look like himself, even though I learned after that he had an injury,” Cormier remarked. The heavyweight champion’s comments gained attention as Muhammad was initially slated to defend his title against Rakhmonov in the main event of UFC 310, but had to withdraw due to a serious bone infection in his foot.

Fight Dynamics and Key Moments

Cormier’s insights shed light on why Rakhmonov, often dominant in wrestling exchanges, struggled against Garry’s commendable takedown defense. The fight dynamics shifted in the fifth round when Garry reversed the momentum, effectively threatening Rakhmonov with a rear-naked choke.

Close Decision and Commentary

Despite the adversity, Rakhmonov secured the victory with a narrow score of 48-47 across all judges. Cormier noted, “It was a good fight. It picked up late. Machado Garry will look back on this and be very disappointed at the way that he managed Round 1 and 2 because in Round 1 and 2, not much happened at all.” He added, “Shavkat did a better job in Round 4 getting takedowns, but in Round 5, Machado Garry was pressing, making him work, and almost got a submission. That was exciting.”

Future Implications in the Welterweight Division

As the welterweight division remains a hotbed of talent, fans are left wondering how Rakhmonov’s injury might affect his future fights and matchups, especially against top contenders like Belal Muhammad. With tensions rising and championship fights looming, one thing is certain: the battle for supremacy in the welterweight division is heating up!