DOHA, QATAR – NOVEMBER 22: (L-R) Ian Machado Garry of Ireland kicks Belal Muhammad in a welterweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at ABHA Arena on November 22, 2025, in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

The UFC’s Welterweight division is the talk of the MMA community these last few weeks, as exciting young fighters such as Michael Morales and Carlos Prates are climbing the divisional ranks by putting on incredible performances against UFC veterans Sean Brady and former welterweight champion Leon Edwards. The welterweight division is at the focal point of a new era of MMA, and that was further proven at UFC Qatar, where Ian Machado Garry defeated former welterweight champion Belal Muhammad via unanimous decision.

Garry joins the likes of Morales and Prates as a member of the new guard at welterweight, with all three in the mix for a title shot against Islam Makhachev. However, based on merit, Ian Machado Garry is the most deserving of a shot at the title. He is the only top five welterweight with multiple wins over fellow top five fighters, including Belal Muhammad (formerly ranked number two) and the fifth-ranked Carlos Prates. Unfortunately, the UFC does not always book fights based on merit. The UFC is in the business of making money, and to make money, they need to sell tickets. To sell tickets, they need to book exciting fights, and Morales and Prates’ performances at UFC 322 were more exciting than Ian Machado Garry’s performance at UFC Qatar. Ariel Helwani and Peter Caroll discussed whether the 28-year-old Irishman did enough to secure a title fight given the state of the welterweight division and its several intriguing contenders.

“He has won the toughest fight. Michael Morales beat Sean Brady, who lost to Belal Muhammad. Carlos Prates, who lost to Ian Garry, don’t forget, he beat Leon Edwards, who lost to Belal Muhammad. He’s the closest to the title, other than Jack Della Maddalena, who just lost it. I think all of that makes sense. But the problem is Ian’s given the UFC and out not to pick him because of him kind of applying that, I know I need this finish.” MMA Journalist Peter Carroll stated on the Ariel Helwani show.

Carroll later went on to note, that Ian Machado Garry still made a strong case for himself to get the title shot by cutting an excellent promo in his post-fight interview with Michael Bisping and did more traffic than any other fighter on the several sites that covered UFC Qatar this week. Morales and Prates may have had better performances, but Ian Machado Garry still may be the biggest name for Islam to face in the welterweight division. Whether fans love him or hate him, they all tend to feel strongly or at least know who Ian Machado Garry is. Former UFC middleweight champion, Michael Bisping described Garry as a polarizing figure and in the fight game polarizing sells. You will not find a more confident fighter than Ian Machado Garry and the man could be in the WWE with his mic skills and knack for promoting himself and fights.

“Belal couldn’t take me down. So, Islam, you try to take me down. I’m telling you now; I am the best in the world, and you have a duty to defend that belt against the best welterweight on the planet and you’re looking at him. It’s Ian Machado Garry. You come into my division, then you show up wherever you want in the world and I will be there and I’m taking that throne from you and I’m in that continuous streak. You’re done. There is nobody getting in the way of me and my future, and me, and my dreams. So, sign the contract and I will see you soon.” Ian Machado Garry told Michael Bisping and Qatar crowd following his convincing win over former champion Belal Muhummad.

Despite not getting the emphatic knockout victory he promised, Ian Machado Garry won convincingly over an elite fighter and former champion, Belal Muhammad. He won all three rounds handily, inflicting damage and demonstrating elite takedown defense. Following the fight, he talked trash and cut a WWE-worthy promo to get a shot at the title. His “polarizing” presence in the UFC has made him one of the most recognizable names in MMA. Makhachev versus Garry will sell tickets. At 6 feet 3, Ian Machado Garry is bigger, stronger, and longer than anyone Makhachev has faced in the octagon. In theory, that will make him more challenging to take down than a smaller welterweight like Jack Della Maddalena. It is worth noting that he does have a loss on his record to Shavkat Rakhmonov, but he has missed all of 2025 to injury and likely needs another win before getting back in the mix for a title shot. With that in mind, based on merit, style, star power, and ability to promote a fight, Ian Machado Garry is the deserving next title challenger in the welterweight division.