Ian Machado Garry Reveals Why Crowning Him UFC Champion Is Best for Business
Ian Machado Garry has given his two cents on why it would be better for the UFC if he became the welterweight champion.
Garry will challenge 170-pound titleholder Islam Makhachev on August 15 in the main event of UFC 330, and “The Future” is confident that he can dethrone the Russian and get his hand on the welterweight strap and also sit on the pound-for-pound throne.
Ian Machado Garry on why he should be the UFC welterweight champion and not Islam Makhachev
During a recent interview with Ariel Helwani, while criticising Islam Makhachev’s activity level as a champion, “The Future” opined that if he becomes the new welterweight titleholder in August, then it will be best for the business. The Dubliner added that once he uncrowns Makhachev, he could run it back with Carlos Prates or Shavkat Rakhmonov and even face Michael Morales. The Irishman loves to stay busy and has big plans after UFC 330. He said:
“That’s a fact, in my opinion. When I’m the champion of the world, the welterweight division is better off. Islam only fights once a year. His next defense might be in July 2027. But the matchups, the stylistic matchups, they are very different. You have on the cards a potential rematch with Carlos Prates. That would be massive. You’ve got on the cards a potential rematch with Shavkat Rakhmonov, arguably the biggest fight in the sport you can make at a certain point, whenever he’s able to come back… The welterweight division is the greatest it’s ever been… It’s the best division in the sport right now.
The 28-year-old added:
“The welterweight division is the greatest it’s ever been. When I’m the champion, there’s gonna be more activity, more high-level fights… It’s the best thing for the sport. Me going out there and beating Islam, it’s going to be one hell of a roller coaster, my friend.”
Check out Ian Machado Garry’s comments below:
Ian Garry is a proven risk-taker who has consistently accepted dangerous opponents on short notice, including fights against Carlos Prates and Shavkat Rakhmonov. Since signing with the UFC in 2021, “The Future” has remained one of the promotion’s most active contenders, competing nearly three times per year. He was also game to lock horns with Islam Makhachev much earlier this year, but Garry alleges that the 34-year-old said no.
Makhachev, on the other hand, has typically defended his title (lightweight) no more than twice in a year. The only time he fought three times in a single year in the UFC was back in 2021. However, after moving up to 170-pounds the Russian has said that he is now ready to fight more often.
