Garry eyes Rakhmonov next: I know I can 'take his 0'

Ian Machado Garry wants to test himself against a top-five welterweight and sees a fight with Shavkat Rakhmonov as the perfect chance.

Garry defeated Michael "Venom" Page by unanimous decision at UFC 303 on Saturday in Las Vegas to lift his Octagon record to 8-0 and move one step closer to a shot at the title. Rakhmonov and Garry - Nos. 3 and 7 in the division, respectively - are the only two undefeated fighters in the welterweight top 10.

"I'm gonna have a chat with (UFC executives) Hunter (Campbell) and Dana (White) later on and figure out what's next," Garry said at the UFC 303 postfight press conference. "There's some big names, there's some cool matchups. There's Shavkat, 18-0, undefeated. I'd love to get my hands on him. I've trained with him. I have nothing but respect for the guy, but I want to be the first guy to take his 0, and I know I can do it."

Garry and Rakhmonov spent some time training together at Kill Cliff FC in Florida a few years ago.

Rakhmonov responded to Garry's callout Sunday morning in a post on X, indicating he'd be willing to step into the cage with the Irishman.

"Looks like Ian forgot what happened during those training sessions," Rakhmonov wrote. "I don't mind reminding him in the future."

However, Rakhmonov has also expressed interest in challenging the winner of the UFC 304 title fight between champion Leon Edwards and Belal Muhammad, which takes place July 27 in Manchester, England. Rakhmonov, 6-0 in the UFC with a 100% finish rate, will arguably be the most deserving of a title shot once Muhammad gets his chance.

Garry isn't letting that stop him from wanting to be the person to take away Rakhmonov's undefeated record.

"I've just beaten the fastest guy in the division other than me," Garry said of Page, a former Bellator star and one of the top strikers at 170 pounds. "When it comes to striking and skills, I can do it. When it comes to grappling, we've seen the growth that I have. I'm excited to go out there and prove it against someone like (Rakhmonov)."