Earlier today, Islam Makhachev’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, claimed that the UFC is planning something REAL BIG for Makhachev, and he is not going to fight Ian Machado Garry next.
Meanwhile, Garry, the No. 2-ranked welterweight contender, posted today that he’s ready for his next bout, but the welterweight champion needs more time. The Irishman wrote on Instagram:
I’m ready… He needs more time. Imagine being the number one pound-for-pound fighter on the planet and needing MORE time.”
“The Future” is rumored to fight Makhachev next, when the latter makes the first defense of his 170-pound title post Ramadan.
However, Abdelaziz has ruined Garry’s hopes by posting the following:
This is, I can tell you, the UFC working on a big fight, Islam Makhachev and Ian [Machado Garry’s] name is not involved. Much bigger. One of the biggest fights in the UFC right now they can make. Stay tuned.😉”
After coming across Abdelaziz’s X post, Garry quipped:
No they’re not.”
Is Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria still on?
If Ali Abdelaziz is correct and Islam Makhachev won’t be fighting Ian Machado Garry next, then the only major welterweight in the picture is Michael Morales, who is currently ranked No. 3 and is also undefeated.
Other than Morales, Kamaru Usman has already stated that he doesn’t expect to receive the next 170-pound title shot.
Meanwhile, Carlos Prates and Jack Della Maddalena are already scheduled to lock horns at UFC Perth on May 2.
On X, Ali Abdelaziz said that Islam Makhachev’s next fight will be “one of the biggest fights in the UFC right now,” which likely points to a super fight between Makhachev and Ilia Topuria.
However, P4P king has said that he does not expect to fight “El Matador” anytime soon, as the latter has work at 155-pounds and an interim champion waiting for him to unify the belts.
If Topuria vs. Makhachev does happen, it’s unclear whether the UFC lightweight champ will still fight current and two-time interim titleholder Justin Gaethje next or if the Georgian-Spaniard would vacate his title and move up to challenge the Russian and try to become a three-division champion, similar to what Alex Pereira is pursuing.
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
