Ian Machado Garry has taken issue with the timing of when Islam Makhachev wants to defend his belt.
Machado Garry convinced fans that he’s getting the next title shot thanks to him documenting the training that he’s been doing in the first few months of the year.
The Irishman had previously stated that he’d go to Georgia to prepare for a fight with Islam Makhachev, which is where he’s recently spent some time.
Despite this, Makhachev has said he’s not had negotiations about fighting Machado Garry and it looks like the timelines for when both men want to return aren’t aligning.
Does Ian Machado Garry have what it takes to beat Islam Makhachev? Explain your decision down below!
Ian Machado Garry criticizes Islam Makhachev for wanting more time before fighting again
Ian Machado Garry has put the pressure on Islam Makhachev by claiming that the champion is holding up his shot at the welterweight title.
With Kamaru Usman saying that he’s not on the same page as the UFC in wanting to be the next challenger, the Irishman looks to be the leading candidate at the moment.
Machado Garry recently voiced some frustrations on social media about Makhachev not being ready to defend his belt for the first time.
“I’m ready… He needs more time,” he wrote on Instagram. Imagine being the number one pound for pound fighter on the planet and needing MORE time.”
Both men fought in November, with Machado Garry beating Belal Muhammad just one week after the 170-pound gold changed hands at Madison Square Garden.
Michael Morales could be another option for Makhachev, with the undefeated contender recently using his moment during the UFC Mexico City broadcast to hold up a photo of the champion.
Islam Makhachev turned down the UFC’s offer for a quick turnaround after UFC 322
Before the UFC went with Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett to headline the first event of 2026 in an interim title fight, they reached out to Islam Makhachev.
Makhachev said that he turned the fight down, believing that it would’ve been against Michael Morales though he wasn’t told an opponent, because he didn’t have enough time to prepare.
The Russian said back in December that he’d likely be returning in April, May, or June due to him not wanting to compete during Ramadan.
Ramadan ends in several weeks on the evening of March 19, meaning we may have some news in the near future about when Makhachev is starting a training camp.
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