Shavkat Rakhmonov went the distance for the first time in his UFC career on Saturday night to secure a title shot.
Rakhmonov was awarded a unanimous decision victory after going five-rounds with Ian Machado Garry in Las Vegas.
His next fight will now be against Belal Muhammad for the undisputed UFC welterweight title.
All judges scored the contest 48-47 in favour of Rakhmonov, who is now unbeaten in 19 professional MMA bouts.
Machado Garry’s defeat means his undefeated MMA record is now over, although he did put up a solid performance.
It was a tactical war between two of the best welterweights on the planet for UFC 310’s co-main event.
Machado Garry came closest to ending the bout in the fifth and final round via submission in what was a largely inactive bout.
Muhammad was originally scheduled to fight Rakhmonov in the main event, but withdrew after suffering a bone infection in his foot.
More to follow…
