UFC welterweight contender Ian Machado Garry says he’s accepted two fights with big cache in the division.
Ian Machado Garry is knocking on the door of a potential welterweight title shot. According to Garry, he’s been offered two separate opponents for his return that will likely secure him that opportunity.
Garry hasn’t fought since defeating Carlos Prates by unanimous decision at UFC Kansas City earlier this year. He weighed in as the backup to UFC 315 last month, as Jack Della Maddalena defeated Belal Muhammad to capture the welterweight throne.
As Islam Makhachev prepares for the likely next welterweight title shot against Maddalena, Garry and several other top contenders are waiting in the wings for a chance at gaining the belt. Garry is in Las Vegas this week for UFC 317 fight week, and is preparing to chat with the matchmakers to secure a date and opponent for his comeback to the Octagon.
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Ian Machado Garry reveals ‘preferred’ option for potential No. 1 contender fight
As Garry looks to continue his bounce back from his first professional loss to Shavkat Rakhmonov, the UFC has offered two massive opponents to the brash Irish star for a fight later this year.
During a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, Garry shared who the UFC offered him for his next fight.
“I’ve said ‘Yes’ officially to Belal [Muhammad] and Sean Brady,” Garry revealed.
“This week I’m trying to have a meeting with the UFC and organize everything, but I have a preference of leaning towards Belal.”
After Garry’s remarks went viral, it didn’t take long for the former titleholder Muhammad to dismiss his claims.
Muhammad replied to Garry’s comments with a ‘Why you always lyin?’ GIF, hinting that it’s the first he’s heard of a potential matchup on the table. Muhammad previously teased a showdown with Shavkat Rakhmonov in October on the UFC’s annual Abu Dhabi pay-per-view card.
In the immediate aftermath of Muhammad’s loss to Maddalena, Garry sent Muhammad an ominous warning about a potential fight booking. Muhammad replied by pitching a potential showdown at Madison Square Garden in November.
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Ian Machado Garry pivots on Sean Brady fight after discrediting surging contender
As for a potential clash with Sean Brady, Garry has seemingly pivoted from his previous stance after discrediting the promising young welterweight star. Brady called out Garry following a win last year over Gilbert Burns, but Garry shrugged aside the callout in favor of another matchup.
Before winning at UFC Kansas City, Garry suffered his first professional loss to Rakhmonov at UFC 310 in December. The fight came to fruition on weeks’ notice after Muhammad withdrew from his scheduled bout with Rakhmonov due to a medical issue.
Garry is 9-1 in his UFC promotional tenure with three knockout victories.