Ian Machado Garry (17-1 MMA, 10-1 UFC) currently sits as the No. 2 contender in the welterweight division and as he looks for his first fight in 2026, there’s one goal on his mind, the UFC Welterweight Championship.
Current champion Islam Makhachev (28-1 MMA, 17-1 UFC) won the 170-lb division’s strap last fall inside Madison Square Garden in New York City by way of unanimous decision in the main event of UFC 322 against Jack Della Maddalena (18-3 MMA, 8-1 UFC.) While no date or opponent for Islam Makhachev’s first defense has been confirmed, Ian Machado Garry has thrown his hat into the ring.
The No. 2 contender at welterweight took to Instagram earlier Monday to lobby for a shot at the champion.
Ian Machado Garry Challenges Islam Makhachev in Monday Morning Instagram Post
In the post, Ian Machado Garry was succinct when revealing his hopes of fighting Islam Makhachev at some point in the not-too-distant future.
“I’m ready… He needs more time,” Ian Machado Garry wrote. “Imagine being the number one pound-for-pound fighter on the planet and needing MORE time.”
Sizing Up the Contenders for Possible Championship Tilt
Heading into this potential fight, Islam Makhachev has posted a record of 5-0 in his last five trips to the fabled Octagon as part of an ongoing 16-fight winning streak. Last summer, Makhachev, the former UFC Lightweight Champion, ceded the belt at 155 to pursue opportunities at 170.
As far as Garry is concerned, he’s gone 4-1 in his last five fights and is currently on a two-fight winning streak since April of last year. A week after UFC 322 took place, he traveled to Qatar for a co-main event encounter versus Belal Muhammad (24-5, 1 NC MMA, 15-5, 1 NC UFC.)
After three rounds of action, he emerged victorious by way of unanimous decision. Although Garry has been out of action since then, if “The Future” gets his wish, he’ll be battling for the title before long. In his post-fight interview, he made an initial challenge to Islam Makhachev.
“I’m telling everyone this now: I’m phenomenal on the feet, I’m phenomenal on the ground if you can get me there,” Ian Machado Garry said. “Listen, I just beat the No. 1-ranked welterweight on the planet, Belal Muhammad, former champion. There is nobody else above him than the world champion, Islam Makhachev. Belal [Muhammad] couldn’t take me down, so Islam, you try to take me down!”
Ali Abdelaziz Pours Water on Fire for Islam Makhachev vs. Ian Machado Garry Tilt
However, this fight may not be firmly locked in as of yet. In fact, Ian Machado Garry may not even get to face Islam Makhachev next time out.
Makhachev’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, posted Monday on X that a different set of plans may be realized for his client’s upcoming bout.
“This is, I can tell you, the UFC [is] working on a big fight [for] Islam Makhachev, and [Ian’s] name is not involved,” Abdelaziz wrote on the social media platform. “Much bigger.”
Final Thoughts
While Abdelaziz has seemingly quieted the rumors that Ian Machado Garry would fight Islam Makhachev in the future, Makhachev’s next fight, regardless of opponent, will bring the fireworks to the Octagon.
The same can be said for Garry’s next adversary, no matter who it is. Only time will tell who each man faces for their next trip to the cage.