TLDR
- Ian Garry’s coach Diego Lima says Garry deserves the next title shot against Islam Makhachev
- Lima dismisses Kamaru Usman’s title claims due to winning just one of his last four fights
- Garry has a 10-1 UFC record with recent wins over Carlos Prates and Belal Muhammad
- Lima believes shared management between Makhachev and Usman is influencing matchmaking discussions
- Garry has called out Makhachev and is already in training camp for his next fight
Sources: MMA Fighting | TWSN | BJPenn.com
Ian Machado Garry’s head coach Diego Lima is making a strong case for his fighter to challenge Islam Makhachev for the UFC welterweight title. Lima believes Garry has earned the right to be next in line after compiling a 10-1 record inside the octagon.
The Chute Boxe leader told MMA Fighting that Garry has all the necessary qualifications for a title shot. He pointed to Garry’s recent wins, willingness to take short-notice fights, and marketability as key factors.
Garry has won his last two fights after defeating Carlos Prates and former champion Belal Muhammad in 2025. His only career loss came on short notice against the undefeated Shavkat Rakhmonov.
“In camp.”
— Ian Garry via IG 👀
Did he get his title fight against Islam Makhachev? 🏆 pic.twitter.com/RfrPq4muDJ
— ACD MMA (@acdmma_) February 9, 2026
Lima Downplays Usman’s Title Claims
Lima dismissed suggestions that former champion Kamaru Usman should get the next title shot instead. Usman has won just one of his past four fights, raising questions about whether he deserves an immediate title opportunity.
The coach suggested that shared management between Makhachev and Usman might be influencing the push for that matchup. Both fighters are represented by manager Ali Abdelaziz.
“I think there are several factors contributing to why they want this — one of them is that whoever speaks for Makhachev also speaks for Usman,” Lima said. “So because of that, for me, I’d just let it go and not even discuss it.”
Lima called the welterweight division one of the toughest in the UFC right now. He said it’s hard to pick favorites in most fights at 170 pounds.
“But I believe that, without a doubt, the fight to make for the title is Ian Garry,” Lima explained. “For everything. For what he’s shown, who he’s faced, how he’s faced them, the short notice on which he accepted fights, the intelligence he’s demonstrated, and the fact he sells. He sells a lot.”
Garry Has Called Out Makhachev
Garry himself has been vocal about wanting to face Makhachev next. After his win over Muhammad, he called out the champion and positioned the potential fight as a sequel to Khabib Nurmagomedov versus Conor McGregor.
Garry recently announced he is already in training camp for his next fight. His promotional skills and Irish background make him an appealing option to help sell Makhachev’s first welterweight title defense.
Makhachev captured the UFC welterweight championship by defeating Jack Della Maddalena in November 2025. The fight went all five rounds, with Makhachev dominating through his grappling and strategic approach.
Lima praised Makhachev’s performance against Maddalena, saying the champion showed he had evolved as a fighter. He said Makhachev displayed much better striking defense than he did at lightweight.
“He became a much smarter fighter and didn’t expose himself at any moment,” Lima said. “When Maddalena took a step forward, he took a step back. At no point did he stay within Maddalena’s range, except to execute his plan.”
The coach said he initially picked Maddalena to win because Makhachev used to expose himself on the feet in previous fights. But Makhachev’s strategic performance changed his assessment.
Lima believes a fight between Makhachev and Garry would be “incredible” and decided by strategic intelligence. He said he respects Makhachev and his team but is confident in his fighter.
For other contenders, Lima suggested potential matchups including Carlos Prates versus Jack Della Maddalena and Michael Morales against either Rakhmonov or Usman. He sees rising talents Prates and Morales as next in line after Garry.
Garry remains in training camp awaiting the UFC’s decision on his next opponent and whether he will get the title shot his coach believes he has earned.
