While Shavkat Rakhmonov went the distance for the first time in his mixed martial arts career on Saturday night, his ability to prevail in this type of fight means big things are ahead for the Kazakhstan native.

Rakhmonov delivered a hard-fought unanimous decision over Ian Garry in the co-main event of UFC 310 at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday night. “Nomad” had dispatched its first 18 opponents, but in this case, victory – by whatever means – was the primary goal.

“Who doesn’t want to finish fights?” Rakhmonov said through a translator at the UFC 310 post-fight press conference. “I did everything I could but Ian had a great preparation but I believe I will continue my winning streak in the next fight.

“…For me the most important thing is to get the win and I’m glad I won.”

Rakhmonov is now 7-0 in UFC competition and after his recent triumph, a showdown with reigning welterweight champion Belal Muhammad is looming in the near future. After Rakhmonov’s triumph, the two welterweights faced each other in the center of the cage. Muhammad was originally scheduled to defend his belt against Rakhmonov at UFC 310, but was forced to withdraw from the fight after suffering a bone infection in his foot.

“I am the No. 1 title contender and hopefully in April or May next year we will compete against each other,” Rakhmonov said.

Rakhmonov and Garry were former training partners at Kill Cliff FC, so it wasn’t the first time they had faced each other in the cage, although the stakes were much higher on this occasion. Both men admitted that it may not be the last time they compete in the Octagon.

“We will keep winning, and if he keeps winning, we will see each other again,” Rakhmonov said.

Garry, meanwhile, was pleased with his performance against what he called the welterweight division’s “boogeyman,” and he agreed with Rakhmonov’s assessment that there may still be unanswered questions between the former training partners.

“I said it before the fight, I told you before: I believe that he is better than everyone and I believe that I am better than everyone and we will see each other several times in our careers,” said Gary. “I don’t think we’ll see each other again, I think it might be twice. I think he’s so good and I know I’m so good.”