Shavkat Rakhmonov has never taken a decision or experienced a fifth round finish in his career, but both happened Saturday night when he survived a late scare to defeat Ian Machado Garry in the co-main event of UFC 310.

Despite his reputation as a vicious finisher, Rakhmonov fought his former teammate with a very different strategy, focusing more on grappling and takedowns while controlling the pace for much of the 25-minute bout. Garry almost stormed back late with a rear-naked choke that appeared to have Rakhmonov in trouble, but he found a way to break free and make it to the final horn.

When the fight was over, all three judges scored the fight 48-47, with Rakhmonov receiving the unanimous nod. After Rakhmonov moved to 19-0 in his career with the victory, he then invited UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad to the cage for a duel and planned for the two to meet in 2025.

“Ian Garry is a great guy, a great opponent. I’m glad I won,” said Rakhmonov. “We will meet soon. Belal, let’s compete. Get ready, no more injuries, we’ll find out who the better man is.”

Muhammad greeted him in the octagon with a smile on his face and promised that the title he won in July was not going anywhere except going home to Chicago with him.

“I’m looking forward to it,” Muhammad said of the fight with Rakhmonov. “These boos will soon turn to tears. Another ‘O’ I’ll take.”

Before Rakhmonov got his shot at the title, he first had to defeat Garry, and that was no easy task.

Almost immediately as the fight began, Rakhmonov closed the distance and grabbed the clinch to try and drag Garry to the ground, but the Irish welterweight showed incredible balance to withstand the takedown. When the fighters finally separated, Rakhmonov hit a huge overhand right that definitely caught Garry’s attention.

While Garry appeared to be the more technical striker, Rakhmonov continually found a home for his punches, perhaps because he was constantly pushing forward with the threat of a takedown. On the kickoff, Rakhmonov actually threw a backwards punch that nearly took Garry’s head off, but he dodged most of the damage before returning fire.

As the third round began, Garry finally picked up his pace and threw more volume, including some stiff leg kicks, then went back up with his punches. But that only resulted in Rakhmonov struggling even more against the cage in a bodylock as the fighters fought for position.

Referee Marc Goddard eventually saw enough to separate them, and Garry took advantage by continuing to pick at Rakhmonov’s foundation. Rakhmonov then countered with another heavy right hand that landed with a thud on Garry’s chin.

When he had room to work, Garry began with a well-timed jab, which he combined with further kicks to the legs that pushed Rakhmonov backwards. His momentum changed when Rakhmonov finally went for a double leg takedown, sending Garry to the canvas.

While firing a few shots from above, Garry eventually broke free, but a quick standing guillotine choke attempt backfired as Rakhmonov was able to get back into position on his back. Another exchange led to a second takedown from Rakhmonov, who began pounding away with punches as time expired.

With five minutes left, Rakhmonov resumed his wrestling for another takedown, but Garry not only defended effectively but took the lead. From there, Garry almost got a rear-naked choke and for a moment it looked like he would get the submission, but Rakhmonov resisted enough to break free and end up on top.

This time Garry found a way back to his feet, but Rakhmonov quickly latched on to him and threw one final punch just before the horn sounded to end the fight.

There is no doubt that Rakhmonov faced his toughest test yet, but he still accomplished his task as he now prepares for an eventual showdown against Muhammad next year.