Shavkat Rakhmonov ahead of UFC 310: 'In this weight class, I'm a problem for anyone'

Shavkat Rakhmonov is heading into UFC 310 boasting a 100 percent finish rate.

Rakhmonov (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) takes on Ian Machado Garry (15-0 MMA, 8-0 UFC) in a five-round welterweight bout in Saturday’s co-main event from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

Rakhmonov, who was initially scheduled to challenge welterweight champion Belal Muhammad at UFC 310, will look to cement his status as the next title challenger. In his most recent outing at UFC 296, Rakhmonov became the first to submit former title challenger Stephen Thompson.

“Fans in Kazakhstan have been waiting for someone to represent our country, and Kazakh fans want someone to show some exciting, worthy fights in the UFC,” Rakhmonov said on UFC Countdown.

“All of my fights are exciting for the fans. The reason I finish my fights is that I’m a versatile fighter. Now I’m ready to secure my spot as the No. 1 contender for the UFC title.”

Rakhmonov takes on former Kill Cliff FC training partner Machado Garry. While the Irishman has traveled around to seek out knowledge from multiple places, Rakhmonov has kept the Florida-based gym his home.

Despite his dominance so far, Rakhmonov still sees room to grow.

“I’ve been training at Kill Cliff gym for about three years,” Rakhmonov said. “There are many fighters at my level and the competition is tougher here. I think I have enough abilities, but I need to keep improving them.

“This sport doesn’t stand still so, it’s important to develop skills in all areas continuously. I aim to grow in every area: technique, grappling and wrestling. In this weight class, I’m a problem for anyone.”

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 310.