After defeating “MVP” at UFC 303, Ian Machado Garry is ready to face Shavkat Rakhmonov’s “O”

After improving to 15-0 with a solid performance against “MVP” at UFC 303, Ian Machado Garry has his sights set on capturing the “O” from Shavkat Rakhmonov.

Garry returned to the Octagon on Saturday night and earned a unanimous decision victory over Michael “Venom” Page in the first fight of the night. For three rounds, Garry executed a perfect game plan that allowed him to largely smother Page’s unorthodox striking style, handing “Venom” just his third career loss in 14 years.

Given that Page was seven spots below “The Future” in the welterweight rankings, it’s unclear what impact, if any, Garry’s win will have on his standing in the division. Regardless, the Irishman is ready to take the next step up in competition.

“I’m going to talk with Hunter (Campbell) and Dana (White) to see what comes next,” Garry said at the post-fight press conference. “There are big names, there are interesting matchups. This Shavkat, 18-0 undefeated. I’d like to get my hands on him. I trained with him. I have nothing but respect for this guy, but I want to be the first to take his “O” and I know I can do it. I just beat the fastest guy in the division, besides me, in terms of striking and skill, so I know I can do it.

“As far as grappling goes, we’ve seen my progression. I can’t wait to get out there and prove it against someone like him.”

Is Ian Machado Garry the right fight for Shavkat Rakhmonov?

Shavkat Rakhmonov has a perfect 18-0 record in his mixed martial arts career with six of those victories coming inside the Octagon. Perhaps even more impressive is his 100% win rate, including eight knockouts and 10 submissions.

Rakhmonov’s last appearance came at UFC 296 in December, where he scored a second-round rear-naked choke over Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson.

This moved “Nomad” to third place in the welterweight rankings, with the only two fighters above him being Belal Muhammad and former champion Kamaru Usman.