Shavkat Rakhmonov has built his perfect UFC fighter.
Rakhmonov contests Ian Garry this weekend at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas for UFC 310’s co-main event.
The card is headlined by debutant Kai Asakura challenging Alexandre Pantoja, who defends his flyweight belt for the third time.
Rakhmonov is one of UFC’s deadliest fighters and boasts an unbeaten professional MMA record of 18 wins and no losses.
His opponent, Irishman Garry, is unbeaten too and the pair will clash to determine who will challenge Belal Muhammad for the UFC welterweight title next.
‘Nomad’ was asked in an interview with ESPN MMA to name fighters who would contribute to his perfect fighter.
The categories were based on their proficiency in striking, grappling, and cardio, as well as how strong their chin was.
“Ilia Topuria…good boxer,” the 30-year-old said, when asked who has the best striking skills in Dana White’s roster.
“[Best grappling?] Demian Maia, [best chin?] Jon Jones, [best cardio?] Khabib,” he added.
Ilia Topuria is the current UFC featherweight champion, having knocked out Alexander Volkanovski to win the belt in February at UFC 298.
He defended the belt eight months later against Max Holloway at UFC 308, and in doing so marked the American’s first-ever UFC knockout defeat.
Maia, meanwhile, is an MMA veteran and a specialist in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, who has fought for UFC gold on two occasions.
He lost his shot at the middleweight title by losing to Anderson Silva via unanimous decision at UFC 112 in 2010.
The 47-year-old, who made his debut three-years prior to that defeat, fought Tyron Woodley in 2017 for welterweight championship status but lost via the same method.
His last UFC bout came against current welterweight champion Belal Muhammad in 2021 at UFC 263, where he lost by unanimous decision again.
Jon Jones is the current UFC heavyweight champion, and Khabib Nurmagomedov retired from MMA in 2020 as the lightweight title holder, following the death of his father.
MMA fans were quick to react to Rakhmonov’s perfect fighter as many agreed with the Kazakhstan superstar.
“This is actually a good selection,” one fan said on Instagram.
While another added: “People forget Khabib had insane cardio.”
A third responded with their own picks: “[Conor] McGregor striking, Khabib grappling, Nate Diaz chin and Nick Diaz cardio. Only right.”
Rakhmonov revealed via Submission Radio on Tuesday that he wanted to fight Kamaru Usman at UFC 310, after hearing the news of Muhammad’s withdrawal.
Muhammad was scheduled to defend his welterweight bout for the first time against ‘Nomad’ in the main event of UFC 310, but was forced to pull out after suffering a bone infection in his foot.
‘Remember The Name’ claimed the 170 lbs strap by defeating Birmingham’s Leon Edwards after five rounds at UFC 304 Manchester in July.
Usman held the welterweight belt before Edwards, who he lost to on twice in 2022 and 2023.
“I wanted to fight Kamaru Usman, but he didn’t accept the fight.” Rakhmonov said.
“…Also, they offered [Carlos] Prates, but he was injured. Colby Covington rejected the fight. I’m very happy that Ian Garry accepted the fight.”
Muhammad’s injury means Rakhmonov now contests UFC 310’s co-main bout against Garry, rather the main event.
The headline act features Kai Asakura vs Alexandre Pantoja to decide the undisputed UFC flyweight champion of the world.