Chael Sonnen the former UFC title challenger and well-known mixed martial artists and commentator’s podcast continues to go from strength to strength and grow all the time.
Sonnen mostly gives experts takes on MMA and UFC but occasionally goes off topic in what is now a wide worldwide audience for ‘The Bad Guy’.
Speaking on his podcast this week he brought up why he thinks MMA fighter Rakhmonov is better than Ian Garry which got people interested before the fight:
“I’m taking Shavkat Rakhmonov for several reasons. Ultimately, while pre-fight breakdowns and countdown shows are entertaining, they don’t change the reality: one fighter is simply better than the other. It doesn’t matter how much analysis is done, how great someone looks on a speed bag, or even the intricacies of their diet—whether it’s vegan, carnivore, or organic. None of that determines the outcome. The better fighter wins, and they were better before the training camp, during it, and after.
The biggest factor in sports is DNA—natural ability—and it often supersedes everything else.
This brings us to fighters like Tom Aspinall, who has thrown a wrench in typical analysis. Aspinall once pointed out that Jon Jones’s meticulous process of studying opponents wouldn’t work against him because there’s limited footage of his fights. That’s a fair point: Aspinall finishes opponents so quickly that there’s little opportunity to see his full skill set. This observation applies to Rakhmonov as well. He’s a finisher, with six UFC fights and no one lasting to the final bell. What do we really know about him? Is he more dangerous on his feet or on the ground? Opinions vary, but I lean toward grappling, given his wrestling background and the toughness of fighters from Kazakhstan. However, he’s shown he can handle himself standing, as seen in his fight with Wonderboy Thompson, where he wasn’t troubled on the feet before taking the fight to the ground.
Ian Garry, on the other hand, is an excellent fighter with a clear, disciplined striking style. He fights by the book—precise combinations of punches followed by kicks, maintaining rhythm, and avoiding unnecessary risks. His recent win over MVP showcased improved ground skills, but we don’t know how much of that improvement is real or just situational. Garry’s predictability might make him vulnerable, especially against someone as versatile as Rakhmonov.
While I respect Garry for taking this fight and maintaining his unbeaten record, I don’t see him winning a round or even going the distance with Rakhmonov. My official prediction: Rakhmonov wins decisively.”
Sonnen proved to be right this weekend after all was said and done in the fight.
Rakhmonov gave Garry his first loss at the weekend just gone.
