TLDR
- Ian Machado Garry, ranked No. 2 at welterweight, called out champion Islam Makhachev for needing more time before defending his title
- Garry recently trained in Georgia to improve his wrestling skills in preparation for a potential title fight
- Makhachev is expected to defend his welterweight belt for the first time between May and July after Ramadan
- Undefeated contender Michael Morales also called out Makhachev at UFC Mexico City, adding to the title race
- Garry defeated Belal Muhammad in Qatar last year and believes he has earned his title shot
Sources: Times of India | Low Kick MMA | Bloody Elbow | BJ Penn
UFC welterweight contender Ian Machado Garry has publicly questioned champion Islam Makhachev’s readiness to fight him. The Irish fighter, currently ranked No. 2 at 170 pounds, suggested the champion is not prepared to face him despite Garry’s extensive preparation.
Garry recently posted on Instagram after completing a training camp in Gori, Georgia. He tagged Makhachev directly with a pointed message about the delay in scheduling a title fight.
“I’m ready… He needs more time,” Garry wrote. “Imagine being the number one pound for pound fighter on the planet and needing MORE time.”
Ian Machado Garry criticizes Islam Makhachev when sharing update on potential UFC title fight https://t.co/DflqLnTqYt pic.twitter.com/LWFB5UkJos
— Bloody Elbow (@BloodyElbow) March 2, 2026
Training Camp in Georgia
Garry’s decision to train in Gori was strategic. The Georgian city is known for its strong wrestling culture, and Garry wanted to sharpen his grappling skills before potentially facing a champion with elite wrestling abilities.
The contender has been campaigning for a title shot since defeating Belal Muhammad in Qatar last year. He has maintained that he has done everything required to earn his opportunity at the belt.
According to Khabib Nurmagomedov, Makhachev could return to defend his welterweight title between May and July. The champion is expected to make his first defense of the 170-pound belt after Ramadan ends.
Garry appears unwilling to wait quietly for confirmation about when the fight will happen. His public callout on social media represents an attempt to pressure the champion and UFC officials into making a decision.
Another Challenger Enters the Picture
The title race became more complicated when undefeated contender Michael Morales entered the conversation. During the UFC Mexico City broadcast, cameras focused on Morales in the crowd.
Morales pulled out his phone and displayed a picture of Makhachev, clearly signaling his intention to challenge for the title. His public callout added more tension to an already competitive division.
With multiple top welterweights occupied with their own fights, the path appears clearer for either Garry or Morales. Kamaru Usman is reportedly out of the title race for now.
Jack Della Maddalena is scheduled to fight Carlos Prates at UFC Perth on May 2. This removes another potential contender from immediate consideration for a title shot.
Garry’s only recent loss came against Shavkat Rakhmonov in a close decision. He impressed many observers in that fight despite the narrow defeat. Outside of that setback, he has not faced many obstacles since joining the UFC.
The coming months will likely determine who receives the first shot at Makhachev’s welterweight title. For now, Garry continues to position himself as the leading candidate while publicly questioning why the champion needs additional time to prepare.
