The welterweight division hasn’t felt this loaded in years. With Islam Makhachev now reigning at 170 pounds, a surge of hungry contenders and former champions are scrambling to position themselves behind the Dagestani star. Makhachev claimed the welterweight crown by dethroning Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322 last November, and he was quickly linked to a blockbuster showdown with former champion Kamaru Usman. However, ‘The Nigerian Nightmare’ recently revealed that the UFC is not moving forward with that matchup, casting doubt over what comes next for the division. That uncertainty fueled speculation that Ian Machado Garry could be next in line.
The Irish contender has added to the buzz by documenting his intense training regimen in recent months, leading many fans to believe he’s preparing for a title opportunity. Garry had previously stated he would travel to Georgia to prepare specifically for a fight against Makhachev, and he has indeed spent time there sharpening his tools. Despite the growing chatter, Makhachev has publicly stated that no negotiations are underway for a fight with Garry. The situation has since taken a sharper turn, with Garry beginning to fire verbal shots at the champion, while Team Dagestan appears to be hinting at a major fight announcement for Makhachev, one that seemingly does not include the Irishman.
Ali Abdelaziz Suggests Massive Clash for Islam Makhachev Beyond Ian Garry
Ian Garry has publicly blamed Islam Makhachev for delaying his shot at the welterweight title. The Irish contender took to social media to vent his frustration, mocking the reigning champion for allegedly needing more time despite holding the #1 pound-for-pound spot in the sport.
He wrote, “I’m ready… He needs more time. Imagine being the number one pound-for-pound fighter on the planet and needing MORE time.”
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For context, both men competed in November 2025, just one week apart. Makhachev defeated Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322 on November 22 to capture his second divisional title, while Garry secured a major win of his own by beating former champion Belal Muhammad at UFC Qatar on November 28, further strengthening his resume.
With that victory, Garry improved to 10-1 in the UFC and is currently riding a two-fight win streak. His lone promotional loss came in a competitive, short-notice bout against Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310 in December 2024. Since then, the Irishman has rebounded with unanimous decision wins over Carlos Prates and the aforementioned Muhammad.
However, Team Dagestan quickly pushed back. Ali Abdelaziz responded on X just hours later, revealing that the UFC is currently working on a massive fight for the champion, and Garry is not part of those discussions. He even described the potential matchup as one of the biggest the promotion can make right now.
He wrote, “This is, I can tell you, the UFC is working on a big fight for Islam Makhachev, and Ian’s name is not involved. Much bigger. One of the biggest fights in the UFC right now they can make. Stay tuned.”
🚨 Islam Makhachev’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, says the UFC is working on a BIG fight for Islam Makhachev 👀
“Ian [Garry] name is not involved. Much bigger. One of the biggest fights in the UFC right now they can make. Stay tuned.” pic.twitter.com/9HeCeoLlOJ
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) March 2, 2026
If speculation is anything to go by, the fight could point toward a blockbuster pound-for-pound showdown with lightweight king Ilia Topuria, with whom Makhachev has shared a simmering rivalry for over a year.
A clash with Kamaru Usman also cannot be ruled out entirely, as Abdelaziz had previously floated his name before Garry entered the picture. For now, the welterweight title picture remains clouded in intrigue. Whether Garry gets his long-awaited opportunity or Makhachev steps into an even bigger super fight, the champion’s first defense at 170 pounds is shaping up to be a headline-grabbing affair.
Kshitiz Kumar Singh is a UFC Writer at NY Fights with over three years of experience in sports journalism and content creation. Known for his sharp storytelling and passion for combat sports, he has written in-depth features on stars like Brock Lesnar, Randy Couture, and Ilia Topuria. Before joining NY Fights, Kshitiz worked as a UFC Editor at EssentiallySports while currently serving as a WWE Editor at FirstSportz. His admiration for legends like Georges St-Pierre continues to inspire his detailed and engaging MMA coverage. Whether he’s covering the Octagon or the squared circle, Kshitiz is committed to delivering accurate, high-quality content. Outside the world of sports, he’s a dedicated cinephile, often found practicing monologues from his favorite Al Pacino films, combining his love for cinema with storytelling.