Islam Makhachev’s manager doesn’t want him to fight Ian Machado Garry next.
Makhachev, who vacated his lightweight championship last year following four successful title defenses, moved up to welterweight, made his debut at UFC 322, and dethroned then-champ Jack Della Maddalena to become a two-division champion.
The Dagestani phenom is expected to make the first defense of his 170-pound title after Ramadan, and he won’t be short on options. The welterweight division is the most stacked in the UFC right now, and there’s no lack of deserving contenders. Carlos Prates, Michael Morales, and Garry, among others, have shown interest in challenging Islam Makhachev next.
However, the pound-for-pound king wants to fight the legendary Kamaru Usman.
Ali Abdelaziz, who manages both Kamaru Usman and Islam Makhachev, has vowed to make this fight happen, but the UFC might have other plans, given Usman’s recent activity. No matter what, Abdelaziz doesn’t want Ian Machado Garry to be the next title challenger. He recently told MMA Junkie:
Islam and Usman want to fight each other, but UFC might have a different plan. But that’s what I think. Maybe they think differently. But don’t tell me Ian Garry.”
Check out Ali Abdelaziz’s comments below:
Ian Machado Garry is confident that he’s “next” for Islam Makhachev
In a recent video on his socials, Ian Machado Garry proposed three matches for the UFC welterweight division.
‘The Future’ wants Carlos Prates to lock horns with Michael Morales, Kamaru Usman to fight Jack Della Maddalena, and Islam Makhachev to fight him. He said:
Everybody has an opinion on who should fight who next in the welterweight division. Here’s mine. Carlos Prates vs. Michael Morales because they are two power heavy hitters, and I want to see who comes out on top. I doubt Morales would take it because the truth is Carlos Prates hits harder.”
The Irishman added:
I kind of want to see Carlos [Prates] and JDM too, but I am going to watch Jack Della Maddalena vs. Kamaru Usman. I want to see if Jack can stop the takedown. Has he learned? Can he get better? Can he evolve, and has Kamaru still got the gears to beat a young prospect? And finally, the world title fight at welterweight. I want to see the champion, Islam Makhachev, defend his belt against the number one contender in the world, Ian Machado Garry. I am next.”
Check out Ian Machado Garry’s comments below:
Garry recently climbed back to the No. 2 spot in the welterweight rankings after Shavkat Rakhmonov was removed from the list due to a prolonged injury that repeatedly delayed his return.
The Irishman has built an impressive UFC resume, and his 2025 victories over Prates and Belal Muhammad may be enough to earn him the next title shot.
