Shavkat Rakhmonov vs Ian Machado Garry - AI generated fight pick

Shavkat Rakhmonov has a perfect record of 18-0-0, with impressive versatility in finishing fights. He has 8 wins by knockout and 10 wins by submission, demonstrating a well-rounded skill set in both striking and grappling. His Average Fight Time is relatively short at 8:22, suggesting he is effective at finishing his opponents quickly. Rakhmonov’s significant strike accuracy of 61% is higher than Garry’s 55%, making him a more precise striker.

Another critical factor is Rakhmonov's 100% takedown defense, indicating that he is highly capable of neutralizing any wrestling or grappling-based strategies his opponents might employ. Despite having a lower takedown accuracy (29%), his ability to defend against takedowns effectively could be a substantial advantage, especially against a striker like Garry who might struggle if taken to the ground.

Additionally, Rakhmonov's height and reach are slightly less advantageous than Garry's, but he compensates with a 4-inch advantage in arm reach, which could play a crucial role in maintaining distance and landing precise strikes.

While Ian Machado Garry is also undefeated with a strong record of 15-0, his recent fights have primarily gone the distance. He has shown less finishing capability than Rakhmonov, with only 7 knockouts and 1 submission. Garry’s significant strike defense (53%) is only marginally better than Rakhmonov’s (52%), but given Rakhmonov's knockout power and submission skills, he is more likely to capitalize on openings.

Moreover, Rakhmonov being ranked higher (#3 vs #7) and the fact that he has consistently fought at a high level in the UFC further bolsters his case as the favorite to win this matchup.