Israel Adesanya reveals prediction for Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Ian Garry clash

UFC 310 may be headlined by the flyweight title fight between champion Alexandre Pantoja and promotional newcomer Kai Asakura, but all eyes will be on the co-main event match between undefeated welterweights.  

Second-ranked welterweight contender Shavkat Rakhmonov (18-0) collides with seventh-ranked Ian Machado Garry (15-0) in a fight that will leave one of them with the first blemish on their record and the other on their way to a title fight.  Adding a layer to the storyline, the two briefly trained together in late 2022 and early 2023.    

Former two-time middleweight titleholder Israel Adesanya gave his analysis of the matchup and revealed his prediction on his YouTube channel.  

"They've both trained with each other as well, and I've seen them spar.  It wasn't anything in-depth, but when you move around with someone enough times you start to see - you download information so quick," Adesanya said.  "They would have both done that on each other and they would definitely know this day was coming.  And now this day is here."  

"Shavkat, he's a mauler.  He just grabs people, takes them down, submits them.  He can also strike with people and put them away," Adesanya continued.

Adesanya has trained with Garry and was impressed with the Irishman's grappling ability.  Ten of Rakhmonov's 18 wins have been via submission.  Adesanya considers Garry 'slick' on the ground, but "The Future" will likely have to prove it on Saturday.  

"I've grappled with him.  He's a good grappler.  Got him on my back and had to get him off of me.  He's slick.  He knows how to put things together well," Adesanya said.  "You watch his striking as well, his distance, his awareness, his in and out footwork.  That's where he's going to have an advantage in this fight."

Israel Adesanya picks Ian Machado Garry to beat Shavkat Rakhmonov

Rakhmonov and Garry are the two of the most promising contenders in the welterweight division.  It's not only a clash of fighting styles and undefeated records, it's a battle that almost certainly results in a title fight for the winner regardless who wins.  Adesanya believes Garry will have his hand raised at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas this weekend.  

"I think he's (Garry) is going to be able to touch Shavkat, but he's got to be careful," Adesanya said.  "I like this fight, but I'm going to go with Ian Garry.  I think it's going to go to a decision, but if Shavkat wins I think he's probably going to submit Ian.  But I'm going to put my money on Ian."