Dec 05,2024
Ian Machado Garry goes into his UFC 310 bout against Shavkat Rakhmonov as a major underdog, but the Dubliner has little doubt he will emerge victorious in Las Vegas.
The unbeaten pair will meet in what is a 170lbs number one contender bout.
For Machado Garry (15-0) it represents the biggest night in his career on what will be the card's co-main event.
The 26-year-old has impressed since an eye-catching knockout win over Jordan Williams on his UFC debut in November 2021, but he will face formidable opposition in Rakhmonov, with whom he has sparred with in the past.
The Kazak fighter, with 18 successive victories, lost out on his title fight against welterweight champion Belal Muhammad and sees Machado Garry as a stepping stone to bigger things.
Speaking to 2fm's Game On, the Dubliner says he is building nicely to the big fight in Sin City.
"It’s hard not to be excited when you are driving around Las Vegas and you se your face all over the posters," he said. "You are living the dream that the kid in Dublin had.
"I’ve never dreamt of fame, but appreciation and respect for my talent skillset is something that matters to me. I want people to say in years to come that this kid is one of the greatest fighters we have seen on this Earth."
The bookmakers don’t expect an Irish win, but Machado Garry has few doubts over his ability and is fully expecting to showcase his talent to a wider audience on Saturday.
"People keep talking about him being the scariest man in the division," he said about Rakhmonov.
"All I’ve ever done in my career is win, beat whoever is in front of me. On Saturday night I’m going to do it in the most beautiful fashion I possibly can against the most dangerous guy I have ever faced.
"The world is going to be left speechless… My world won’t be remotely shocked."
Rakhmonov has ratcheted up the tension by telling media that his Irish opponent was forced to tap out during their sparring sessions, something Machado Garry isn’t overly concerned about.
"What happens in training, happens in training. I couldn’t care less. I’m going to go through this man with everything that I possibly can to get my hand raised on Saturday night."
