Irish welterweight star Ian Machado Garry has thrown down the gauntlet, declaring a championship clash with Islam Makhachev is not just a possibility but an unavoidable future event. Garry, riding high on a winning streak, has stated that when he defeats the Dagestani champion, there should be no room for excuses from fans or pundits.
Garry's Bold Claim: Victory Over Makhachev Proves Supremacy
In a recent video shared on Instagram, Garry openly discussed a potential title fight with Makhachev, which he anticipates could happen later this year. He made his stance crystal clear: if he wins, he does not want to hear any reasons or justifications downplaying his achievement. Garry believes that defeating Makhachev would mean he has beaten the sport's best pound-for-pound fighter, which should rightfully catapult him to the No.1 spot in the pound-for-pound rankings and cement his status as the undisputed world champion.
While acknowledging Makhachev's size and strength, Garry stressed that these attributes should not be used as an excuse post-fight. He pointed out that fans often scramble to protect their favourite fighters after a loss, but he insists that will not be acceptable this time. The only truth, according to Garry, will be that he was simply the superior fighter on the night.
Momentum Builds After Key Victories
Ian Machado Garry's confidence is backed by strong momentum in the UFC's welterweight division. Currently ranked No.3, he is on a two-fight winning run. His most recent victory was a unanimous decision win over top-ranked Belal Muhammad at UFC Qatar in November. Prior to that, he secured a win in a five-round battle against Carlos Prates at UFC Kansas City.
With an impressive professional record of 17 wins and only 1 loss, Garry feels he has unequivocally earned his shot at the championship gold.
Post-Fight Challenge Issued Directly to Makhachev
Immediately after his significant win over Belal Muhammad, Garry reiterated his message during his post-fight interview with Michael Bisping. He reminded everyone that he had just defeated the top-ranked welterweight contender, and the only person left above him is the champion, Islam Makhachev.
Garry confidently stated that Muhammad was unable to take him down and directly challenged Makhachev to try the same. He proclaimed himself the best welterweight in the world and asserted that the champion has a responsibility to face him. Garry promised to end Makhachev's winning run, take the title, and called for the champion to sign the contract for what he believes will be a career-defining fight.
The stage is now set for a potential blockbuster showdown, with Garry leaving no doubt about his ambitions and his belief in his ability to dethrone one of the UFC's most dominant champions.
