Ian Machado Garry Names Only Deserving Next Title Challenger After Becoming UFC Champion

Ian Machado Garry has a clear vision for who should challenge for the welterweight title after he claims it at UFC 330. Garry is set to headline UFC 330 on Saturday in Philadelphia, facing Islam Makhachev for the welterweight championship. Despite being the betting underdog, Garry expresses strong confidence in his ability to defeat Makhachev.

Should Garry emerge victorious, he doesn't anticipate an immediate rematch. Instead, Garry firmly believes that Carlos Prates has earned the next title shot.

“Listen, I called him last week, we chatted about it but there is only one,” Garry stated at media day. “There is only one person who has earned or deserves the title shot after this fight and it’s Carlos Prates. All the other guys haven’t done enough. Carlos Prates has earned it. Nobody else in the entire division has earned it. They all need to fight at least one more fight.

“Prates is coming off two fights against two guys that have never been finished and he did it in insane fashion. I whooped his ass for 24 minutes and I did it on three weeks’ notice. So if he wants to give me three or four months [to get ready], he knows what’s going to happen. He’ll be able to sleep well after the next one.”

While an immediate rematch against Makhachev would logically make sense if Garry wins, he maintains that Prates has rightfully earned his shot at the title.

Ian Machado Garry Open to Islam Makhachev Rematch After UFC 330, But Believes Prates is Next

Although Ian Machado Garry champions Carlos Prates for the next title opportunity, he is not entirely dismissing the possibility of a rematch with Islam Makhachev. However, Garry suggests that his performance on Saturday might negate the need for a second fight.

“I think let’s focus on beating him once and then we can focus on beating twice,” Garry commented. “But it all depends on the fashion. If I go out there and scalp him in two minutes, do you want to see me fight him again straight away? That’s just the way it is. If we have a back and forth war like he had with Volkanovski, it probably would warrant a rematch.

“But also, there’s many other challenges here that are exciting at the same time. Let’s get through Saturday night, let’s get the win and then we’ll see in what fashion I get the victory and if there’s a rematch on the cards. But I wouldn’t be against it. I think he’s earned enough to do it. But let’s get through Saturday night first.”

Garry enters UFC 330 with an impressive 17-1 record. His most recent victory was a decision win over Belal Muhammad, marking his second consecutive win. Prior to that, he defeated Prates via decision in a five-round bout.

The question remains: Will Ian Machado Garry defeat Islam Makhachev at UFC 330?