Ian Machado Garry Makes Case For Islam Makhachev Title Bout, Reveals Weapon of Use

The weekend’s #UFCQatar Fight Night at ABHA Arena, Doha, did little to change up the chaotic discourse of the UFC 170-pound class. But Ian Machado Garry is eagle-eyed for gold; to that end, he won’t even halt and think about taking the fight to the dangerous Islam Makhachev.

The UFC welterweight title picture got a stout shakeup when the nascent Islam Makhachev snagged gold at the UFC 322: Della Maddalena vs Makhachev PPV headliner. There are a few surging contenders that make the case for a title shot, and Ian Garry perches atop that list.

The naturally heralded name as top contender and divisional boogeyman has always been Shavkat Rakhmonov. He was to have a title fight with Belal Muhammad, but could not due to an injury; Garry, meanwhile, picked up an UD win over ex-champ Muhammad this past weekend at UFC Fight Night 265 – aka UFC Qatar. Now, the Irishman bills it ‘merits’ him more than enough for a title shot.

Firstly, I want to say that I have nothing but respect for Islam Makhachev…[the] guy’s pound-for-pound number #1…However, when you come into my division, and you’re the only thing that stops me that is in the way of me achieving my dreams; …[there is] nobody that’s fought a deeper division, that’s fought guys from top to bottom: D-Rod, Magny, Geoff Neal, ‘MVP,’ Shavkat, Prates, and now Belal. And I [still] haven’t got a title shot yet?

Ian Garry during the UFC Fight Night 265 backstage post-fight interviews

Ian Machado Garry (17-1 MMA, 10-1 UFC) made his title aspirations loud and clear, ever since he was grazing nearer to the 8-0 Contender Club. His only loss stands to be Rakhmonov, a true danger and skills test, who touted 100% finished till then. Now, ‘The Future’ touts that he has the merit to get a title shot next.

The Irishman’s resume saw him stiff out Bellator Welterweight Grand Prix Semi-finalist/point-striker Michael Page at UFC 303: Pereira vs Procházka 2. He defeated Geoff Neal, Neil Magny, and Daniel Rodriguez. Garry gave Shavkat a run for his money amid quite a late scare, and later rebounded with a win against Carlos Prates. Now, that includes #2 Welterweight Muhammad.

Now, with Rakhmonov still on a long layoff, Garry ups himself as the better choice. To that end, the fighter has some plans in his mind for the change in guard.

Ian Garry lists secret weapon to deal with prospect Islam Makhachev PPV title matchup

Garry has also presented that he’s a stylistically appealing striker and more versatile version of Conor McGregor. Then there’s Islam Makhachev, who Ian Machado Garry described as a better ‘technical grappler’ coming out of Team Khabib.

With the Irish vs. Dagestan rivalry monotone staying alive, the build-up is all there. Garry thinks it falls on him to check the guy who stepped into his division. Now, it even makes more sense, with him crediting more meaningful wins than others.

But the Dubliner was spraying out his battle plans even before he secured a likely title shot at UFC Qatar. He thinks he can null out that Dagestani Sambo, with the help of the one and true Georgian wrestling.

I swear to God, yesterday I spoke to my wife about coming to Georgia…When I fight Islam Makhachev…all the Georgians out there, I need help. I’m gonna want your help…and I want bodies to help me beat Makhachev.

Ian Garry in a #UFCQatar pre-fight media interview with Sentana Sports (Via: @SetantaSportsTV)

Ian Machado Garry says if a fight with Islam Makhachev happens, he’ll head to Georgia to sharpen his wrestling game. 🇮🇪🤼‍♂️🇬🇪

Via: @SetantaSportsTV pic.twitter.com/W2JeSVaPwV

— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) November 20, 2025

Syndicate MMA/Serra-Longo (LV) fighter and UFC Champ Merab Dvalishvili is known for his prominent Georgian wrestling, which even stumped out a Dagestani to earn a $50,000 UFC 311 fight-night bonus. Speaking to Europop in a champion’s media press conference in Tbilisi, Merab even dumbed down Dagestani sambo.

Former UFC 145-pound champ Ilia Topuria and his team also say he has unparalleled wrestling. Similarly, he has also pointed out Georgian prowess as the biggest deterrent. Ian Garry is a newly minted crop at Team Chute Boxe – Diego Lima, and if it means he’d have to travel to Georgia to prep for Makhachev, he just might.

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