UFC 310: Shavkat Rakhmonov Gets Replacement Opponent, Promotion Announces New Main Event

On By Littum

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 16: Shavkat Rakhmonov of Uzbekistan reacts after his victory against Stephen Thompson in a welterweight bout during the UFC 296 event at T-Mobile Arena on December 16, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

After all, Shavkat Rakhmonov won’t get his title fight in 2024. (Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Shavkat Rakhmonov will still fight at UFC 310, but an interim title will not be on the line.

The undefeated welterweight will face Ian Machado Garry in a five-round non-title bout as the co-main event of the Dec. 10 card, UFC CEO Dana White announced Friday. With Rakhmonov now stepping down to co-headliner, the flyweight title fight between UFC champion Alexandre Pantoja and former RIZIN champion Kai Asakura has been elevated to headline the UFC’s final pay-per-view in 2024.

Garry was expected to face Joaquin Buckley in the main event at UFC Tampa on December 14. As a result of the switch, three-time welterweight contender Colby Covington is now slated to fight Buckley in a five-round main event.

Rakhmonov expressed displeasure with his fellow welterweights after the announcement.

“I’m very disappointed with our division,” he wrote on social media. “Belal (Muhammad), Leon (Edwards), Kamaru (Usman), Jack (Della Maddalena), Sean (Brady) – you’ve all failed the fans. The only one who backs up his words is Ian and I respect that But make no mistake, (Garry) – I’m coming after your 0 and will fight for the belt afterwards.”

Rakhmonov (18-0) was originally scheduled to challenge UFC champion Belal Muhammad for the welterweight title in the main event of UFC 310, but the event was thrown into disarray after Muhammad withdrew due to a bone infection in his foot. Rakhmonov, 30, has a perfect 100% finish rate in his MMA career and has run roughshod over his first six UFC opponents, stopping the likes of Stephen Thompson, Geoff Neal and Neil Magny. He is widely considered to be a future champion in the division.

Garry (15-0) has also been perfect through eight UFC appearances, though he only has three finishes to his name under the promotional banner. The Irishman’s most notable wins came in his last two fights, a split decision over Geoff Neal followed by a unanimous decision over Michael Page.

UFC 310 takes place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

  • Flyweight title fight: Alexandre Pantoja vs. Kai Asakura

  • Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Ian Machado Garry

  • Nick Diaz vs. Vicente Luque

  • Cyril Gane vs. Alexander Volkov

  • Movsar Evloev vs. Aljamain Sterling

  • Dominick Reyes vs. Anthony Smith

  • Doo Ho Choi vs. Nate Landwehr

  • Clay Guida vs. Chase Hooper

  • Michael Chiesa vs. Max Griffin

  • Randy Brown vs. Bryan Battle

  • Cody Durden vs. Joshua Van

  • Martin Buday vs. Rizvan Kuniev

  • Lukasz Brzeski vs. Tallison Teixeira