Ian Machado Garry is set for Islam Makhachev showdown next after jumping four spots in the updated UFC welterweight rankings.
The Irishman looks set to challenge Makhachev for the UFC Welterweight Title after beating former champion Belal Muhammad at UFC Qatar.
Ian Machado Garry Set For Islam Makhachev Showdown Next
After beating former champion Belal Muhammad in the UFC Qatar co-main event, Ian Machado Garry is now locked in and prepared for a shot at Islam Makhachev and the UFC Welterweight Title next.
Garry defeated Muhammad via unanimous decision to all but earn his shot at the 170-pound belt next. The Irishman was superb in his victory over the former champion, and has made a substantial move in the welterweight rankings in the process.
Garry jumped four spots from #6 to #2 in the updated UFC welterweight rankings, meaning that only the champion Makhachev and #1 contender Jack Della Maddalena are above him in the rankings.
The 28-year-old was listed as one of the fighters to watch out for at UFC Qatar this past weekend, and he didn’t disappoint with an almost flawless performance against the former king of the welterweight division.
With Makhachev now the belt holder, his next fight will either have to be before mid-February or not until sometime in April due to his participation in Ramadan.
Garry has already expressed his desire to face Makhachev as soon as possible, whether that be before or after Ramadan. He has made it abundantly clear that the only fight he will take next is a shot at the UFC Welterweight Title or an interim belt if need be.
Ian Garry moved all the way up to #2 in UFC’s official welterweight rankings 👀 pic.twitter.com/jNJbDN3q30
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) November 25, 2025
Ian Garry Demands UFC Title Shot Next
Prior to his dominant UFC Qatar victory over Belal Muhammad, Ian Machado Garry made it crystal clear that if he were to be victorious, he would have more than earned his shot at a showdown with Islam Makhachev next.
Having won in routine fashion, Garry feels he simply cannot be denied his shot at the 170-pound belt next.
There had been talk of the likes of Carlos Prates or Michael Morales getting a shot at the UFC Welterweight Title first, given their performances at UFC 322 a week prior to UFC Qatar.
Both Prates and Morales earned UFC bonuses with two ‘Performance of the Night’ showings at UFC 322, with some fans feeling their manner of victory made them surpass Garry and even the injured Shavkat Rakhmonov in the queue for a shot at the champion Makhachev.
However, Garry boasts a win over Prates already, having defeated him via unanimous decision back in April. Morales of course beat the previously #2 ranked Sean Brady, but still arguably needs one more win before he has fully earned a shot at the UFC Welterweight Title.
‘The Future’ told TNT Sports during UFC Qatar fight week that he will take no other fight other than the Makhachev bout for the 170-pound belt, or an interim title fight if the dominant Dagestani champion is out for a lengthy spell due to Ramadan.
Time will tell whether or not Ian Machado Garry gets the call to fight Islam Makhachev next for the UFC Welterweight Title.
He is fully locked in and ready for the fight, jumping four spots to #2 in the latest 170-pound rankings and knocking on the door of his maiden challenge at the welterweight crown.
🚨 Ian Garry moves up to #2 in the welterweight division after his win over Belal Muhammad at #UFCQatar 👀 pic.twitter.com/AxDKebwPoQ
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) November 25, 2025
