High Stakes for Machado Garry in Bout Against UFC’s ‘Boogeyman’

Ian Machado Garry (right) and Shavkat Rakhmonov collectively hold a 33-fight unbeaten streak. This week, Ian Machado Garry displayed a pensive demeanor as he reflected on a significant family experience. Upon their arrival in Las Vegas, Machado Garry’s two-year-old son, Leo, identified his father’s image on a billboard advertising his upcoming bout at UFC 310 on Saturday against Shavkat Rakhmonov. Machado Garry conveyed to BBC Sport, “To be travelling the world with my family, seeing my face on billboards driving down the motorway and me and my wife getting all emotional about it. And then seeing my kid point at billboards and go ‘Papa, daddy!’ – I am living the dream.” The 27-year-old Irishman, Machado Garry, maintains an undefeated record with 15 career victories. He is set to compete against Kazakhstan’s 30-year-old Rakhmonov, also undefeated with 18 wins, whom commentators have labeled ‘The Boogeyman’. Machado Garry, sporting a hoodie emblazoned with “Future champion,” asserts that his opponent’s identity is irrelevant, as his self-assurance remains steadfast due to the robust support system he relies on beyond the fighting cage. While acknowledging that “everything is on the line” in his match against Rakhmonov, Machado Garry leans forward, smiles, and expresses palpable enthusiasm as he foresees his triumph. Machado Garry stated, “I’ve had nothing but love, joy, laughter and excitement in my family.” He continued, “I am already winning at life, I just have to go out there and have fun on Saturday night and everything will be gifted to me.” Machado Garry declared, “I’m going to go out there and beat Shavkat.” Rakhmonov’s record of 18 finishes, including six within the UFC, clarifies why he is commonly referred to as The Boogeyman. Initially, Rakhmonov was scheduled to contend for the welterweight title against champion Belal Muhammad. However, he had to seek a new adversary after the American withdrew from the fight due to an injury. Rakhmonov claims that no one, including former champion Kamaru Usman and interim title-holder Colby Covington, was willing to fight him until Machado Garry accepted the challenge three weeks prior. The co-main event, a five-round contest, will establish the top contender for Muhammad’s title once he recovers from his injury in the coming months. This is a chance Machado Garry has pursued since he began training at the age of 10. Machado Garry stated, “I was a young kid sat in Dublin, Ireland dreaming about being a UFC champion. I’m one fight away from getting that opportunity and I’m going to take it with everything I possibly can and by any means necessary.” He added, “He’s gone out there and dominated everyone he’s ever fought against and I’m excited to prove that I’m better than that man.” Machado Garry’s most recent appearance in June resulted in a decision victory against Britain’s Michael ‘Venom’ Page, a win that elevated him to seventh place in the UFC’s welterweight rankings. He had previously scheduled a bout against ninth-ranked American Joaquin Buckley for 14 December, meaning he is now confronting Rakhmonov with limited preparation time following the UFC’s recent reorganization. Given Rakhmonov’s third-place ranking, Machado Garry considered the decision to fight him to be an obvious choice. He further explained, “If I fight Joaquin, the risk is I lose, the reward is I win and move one step up the rankings. With Shavkat, the risk is I lose, the reward is I’m the number-one contender in the world and I’m next in line for that belt.” Machado Garry concluded, “So the risk and reward is worth it – go out there, get motivated, get excited and earn the right to be next in line for that belt.” The final face-off in Las Vegas on Friday saw an escalation of tension. Machado Garry and Rakhmonov have previously sparred, during which Rakhmonov asserts that the Irishman submitted. A victory for Machado Garry would guarantee him a title shot, marking the first instance since 2018 that an Irishman has had the opportunity to compete for a UFC championship.