Shavkat Rakhmonov never went to decision or saw a fifth round in his career but both happened on Saturday night as he survived a late scare to beat Ian Machado Garry in the UFC 310 co-main event.

Despite a reputation as a vicious finisher, Rakhmonov fought with a much different strategy against his former teammate, focusing more on grappling and takedowns while controlling the pace for much of the 25-minute fight. Garry nearly 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 it was over, all three judges scored the fight 48-47 with Rakhmonov getting the nod by unanimous decision. After moving to 19-0 in his career with the win, Rakhmonov then invited UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad into the cage for a faceoff with plans for them to meet in 2025.

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

Muhammad met him in the octagon with a smile on his face and he promised that the title he won back in July is going nowhere but back home to Chicago with him.

“I’m excited for it,” Muhammad said about the fight with Rakhmonov. “Those boos are going to turn to tears real soon. Another ‘O’ I’m going to take.”

Before Rakhmonov gets his chance at the title, he first had to get through Garry and that was no easy task.

Almost instantaneously when the fight started, Rakhmonov closed the distance and grabbed onto the clinch to attempt to drag Garry to the ground but the Irish welterweight showed incredible balance to resist the takedown. When the fighters finally broke apart, Rakhmonov slammed home a huge overhand right that definitely got Garry’s attention.

While Garry appeared like he was the more technical striker, Rakhmonov kept finding a home for his punches, perhaps because he was always pressing forward with the threat of the takedown. On the break, Rakhmonov actually launched a spinning back fist that nearly took Garry’s head off but he avoided the brunt of the damage before returning fire.

As the third round got underway, Garry finally started picking up his pace and throwing more volume including some stiff leg kicks and then going back up top with his punches. But that only led to more grappling from Rakhmonov with a body lock against the cage as the fighters jockeyed for position.

Referee Marc Goddard finally saw enough to separate them with Garry taking advantage as he continued chipping away 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 started to establish a well-timed jab that he combined with more kicks to the legs that were pushing Rakhmonov backwards. His momentum changed when Rakhmonov finally went for a double-leg takedown and he put Garry on the canvas.

While Garry ate some shots from the top, he eventually scrambled free but a brief standing guillotine choke attempt backfired because Rakhmonov was able to regain position on his back. Another exchange led to a second takedown from Rakhmonov as he began hammering away with punches until time expired.

With five minutes remaining, Rakhmonov returned to his wrestling for another takedown but Garry not only defended effectively but he actually ended taking the back. From there, Garry nearly locked on a rear-naked choke and for a moment it appeared he might get the submission but Rakhmonov resisted enough to scramble free and end up on top.

This time, Garry found a way back to his feet but Rakhmonov latched onto him in a hurry with one final spinning back fist thrown just before the horn ended the fight.

Without a doubt, Rakhmonov faced his toughest test yet but he still got the job done as he now prepares for an eventual showdown against Muhammad next year.