Ian Garry Checks Islam Makhachev for ‘Irrelevant’ Kamaru Usman Call Out 

Top welterweight contender Ian Garry talks about Kamaru Usman potentially fighting Islam Makhachev for the welterweight championship.

Ian Garry Checks Islam Makhachev for ‘Irrelevant’ Kamaru Usman Call Out 

Ian Garry doesn't want Kamaru Usman to fight Islam Makhachev (via X)

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Last weekend, Islam Makhachev captured the welterweight championship by defeating Jack Della Maddalena. The Dagestani controlled the fight completely from start to finish and ultimately secured a clear, dominant unanimous decision victory. Following the win, Makhachev promptly called out former champion Kamaru Usman, hoping to face him for the next title shot.

Makhachev wants the most welterweight title defences and hopes to begin that ambitious journey by defeating Usman first. The former champion is also interested in fighting Makhachev despite his close relationship with Khabib Nurmagomedov, making the matchup intriguing. However, according to Ian Garry, Usman doesn’t deserve to fight for the title against Makhachev with his current form. 

Khabib and his team are very smart, and they are very intelligent at choosing fights and making interesting matchups. Kamau Usman is (expletive) irrelevant…There’s no interest, no fan wants to see that fight…When you’ve got someone who’s pushing 40 years of age and is number nearly #10 in the world, he’s irrelevant to me. So I think that’s just Islam trying to get that 17th consecutive win against an easy opponent. 

Ian Garry via TNT Sports

Usman, in his prime, was unstoppable, defending his welterweight title five times against elite contenders and showcasing consistency throughout. According to Dana White, the ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ remains his greatest welterweight ever, praised for dominance, relentless activity, and championship performances.

However, those years have passed, as Usman now holds a 1-3 record in his last four fights, recently defeating Joaquin Buckley. Garry believes fans are more interested in watching Makhachev fight young contenders like him, Carlos Prates, Shavkat Rakhmonov, and others.

Following UFC 322, all the top contenders have called out Islam Makhachev, and the Dagestani has acknowledged everyone. Garry is currently scheduled to fight former champion Belal Muhammad in the main event of UFC Qatar. 

The Irishman believes a dominant win this weekend can position him for a title shot against Makhachev next. Garry has a massive amount of respect for Makhachev but has talked about potential holes in the Dagestani’s game. It would be interesting to see how the UFC navigates through its competitive welterweight landscape in the future.

Is Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria feasible in the future? 

Apart from Kamaru Usman, Islam Makhachev has also discussed potentially facing Ilia Topuria next, adding excitement to ongoing championship conversations. The lightweight champion has mocked Makhachev by labelling his performances boring, which has intensified their rivalry and drawn significant attention.

Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria next?
Islam Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria next? (Via X)

The Dagestani superstar has already stated that he will compete at the upcoming White House event, increasing speculation regarding his next opponent. Many fans believe a showdown between Islam Makhachev and Topuria is the fight to make, given the rising tension and massive competitive intrigue.

Ian Garry addressed this potential matchup extensively during his recent interview ahead of UFC Qatar, sharing his insights. The fighter also talked about the disadvantages of making this fight. 

Ilia vs. Islam is the biggest fight the UFC can make right now. I don’t know if the UFC wants to do it because it would slow down two divisions. I don’t believe they’re going to do it right now. When you’ve got the likes of Arman, Paddy, and Gaethje, Ilia needs to defend his belt. Islam just won and has to fight at welterweight.

Ian Garry via UFC Qatar Media Day 

Topuria is expected to return in January on the inaugural UFC Paramount event, with potential opponents like Paddy Pimblett. Meanwhile, at UFC Qatar, Arman Tsarukyan faces Dan Hooker in a crucial title eliminator that will determine the division’s immediate championship landscape.

For Islam Makhachev, dropping back down to lightweight appears difficult due to his current physical size and conditioning. Similarly, moving up to welterweight for Topuria feels like an unnecessary overextension that could compromise speed and effectiveness.

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