{"id":514747,"date":"2026-03-02T23:07:08","date_gmt":"2026-03-02T23:07:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/514747\/"},"modified":"2026-03-02T23:07:08","modified_gmt":"2026-03-02T23:07:08","slug":"ian-machado-garry-targets-rival-in-vicious-march-2-post","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/514747\/","title":{"rendered":"Ian Machado Garry Targets Rival In Vicious March 2 Post"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ian Machado Garry<\/a> (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\u2019s one goal on his mind, the UFC Welterweight Championship.<\/p>\n

Current champion Islam Makhachev<\/a> (28-1 MMA, 17-1 UFC) won the 170-lb division\u2019s strap last fall inside Madison Square Garden<\/a> 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\u2019s first defense has been confirmed, Ian Machado Garry has thrown his hat into the ring.<\/p>\n

The No. 2 contender at welterweight took to Instagram<\/a> earlier Monday to lobby for a shot at the champion.<\/p>\n

Ian Machado Garry Challenges Islam Makhachev in Monday Morning Instagram Post<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m ready\u2026 He needs more time,\u201d Ian Machado Garry wrote. \u201cImagine being the number one pound-for-pound fighter on the planet and needing MORE time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sizing Up the Contenders for Possible Championship Tilt<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

As far as Garry is concerned, he\u2019s 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.)<\/p>\n

After three rounds of action, he emerged victorious by way of unanimous decision. Although Garry has been out of action since then, if \u201cThe Future\u201d gets his wish, he\u2019ll be battling for the title before long. In his post-fight interview,<\/a> he made an initial challenge to Islam Makhachev.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m telling everyone this now: I\u2019m phenomenal on the feet, I\u2019m phenomenal on the ground if you can get me there,\u201d Ian Machado Garry said. \u201cListen, 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\u2019t take me down, so Islam,\u00a0you\u00a0try to take me down!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Ali Abdelaziz Pours Water on Fire for Islam Makhachev vs. Ian Machado Garry Tilt<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Makhachev\u2019s manager, Ali Abdelaziz,<\/a> posted Monday on X<\/a> that a different set of plans may be realized for his client\u2019s upcoming bout.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is, I can tell you, the UFC [is] working on a big fight [for] Islam Makhachev, and [Ian\u2019s] name is not involved,\u201d Abdelaziz wrote on the social media platform. \u201cMuch bigger.\u201d<\/p>\n

Final Thoughts<\/p>\n

While Abdelaziz has seemingly quieted the rumors that Ian Machado Garry would fight Islam Makhachev in the future, Makhachev\u2019s next fight, regardless of opponent, will bring the fireworks to the Octagon.<\/p>\n

The same can be said for Garry\u2019s next adversary, no matter who it is. Only time will tell who each man faces for their next trip to the cage.<\/p>\n

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