Islam Makhachev Dismisses Ian Garry Fight Rumors; Says Carlos Prates Fight is Interesting

UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev weighs in on the current title picture at 170 pounds and speaks on his first title defense.

Islam Makhachev Dismisses Ian Garry Fight Rumors; Says Carlos Prates Fight is Interesting

Islam Makhachev give Carlos Prates a thought and snubs Ian Garry (via MMA Fighting, Instagram)

In Short
  • Islam Makhachev is considering Carlos Prates as a potential opponent for his first welterweight title defense.
  • Ian Garry remains a top contender but has not been officially confirmed as Makhachev's next challenger.
  • Carlos Prates gained momentum after a TKO victory over Jack Della Maddalena, enhancing his title shot prospects.

Islam Makhachev’s welterweight title picture remains unsettled as speculation continues over who will challenge him in his first defense. Ian Garry has long been seen as the leading candidate, but recent developments suggest the UFC champion is open to alternative matchups. Among those options, the Dagestani champion now views Brazilian superstar Carlos Prates as an exciting potential opponent.

Since Makhachev defeated Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322, the welterweight division has been waiting to see who would earn the first title shot. Garry strengthened his case with an exceptional performance at UFC Qatar, where he defeated former champion Belal Muhammad in a composed and technically sharp showing. That victory put him in the spotlight as the most obvious contender to challenge Makhachev.

Rumors have grown suggesting that Makhachev could return at UFC 330 in August to defend his welterweight title against Garry. However, this potential matchup has not been confirmed or officially acknowledged by the UFC or either fighter. Makhachev has since weighed in on the current title picture and revealed that he is seeking more exciting matchups for his inaugural defense at 170 pounds.

There’s been a lot of rumors about me fighting Ian Garry next, but I haven’t talked with any [UFC] officials about this fight. I can’t tell for sure who is the next contender… Kamaru Usman is also up there, Ian Garry, Morales, Prates. I think Prates has got the hype now. He’s talked about much more now, so I think a fight with him would be the most interesting.

Islam Makhachev via Red Corner MMA

Prates suddenly rose into title contention after a third-round TKO victory over Jack Della Maddalena at UFC Perth. The win added momentum to his rise in the welterweight division. After the fight, he called for a title shot, pushing his name into the discussion for Makhachev’s next challenger. Before that, ‘The Nightmare’ had already made a statement by knocking out former champion Leon Edwards at UFC 322.

Another name that stood out in Makhachev’s comments was Kamaru Usman, a respected figure in the welterweight division for his legacy as a former champion. The two also share the same management under Ali Abdelaziz of Dominance MMA, adding another layer to the potential pairing. They briefly had a friendly face-off backstage at UFC 324 in January 2026, highlighting the mutual respect between them.

Ian Garry has been vocal about earning a title shot for some time and is seen as a top contender in the welterweight division. However, many of his fights have gone to decisions, which some view as less exciting. In contrast, Carlos Prates has knocked out his last three opponents, building a reputation as an explosive finisher. This contrast has shaped discussions around who should face Islam Makhachev next.

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Islam Makhachev weighs in on Jack Della Maddalena’s performance at UFC Perth

Jack Della Maddalena rose from the Contender Series as a standout Australian prospect and made his UFC debut at UFC 270 in 2022. He quickly built momentum by finishing four of his first opponents, establishing himself as a dangerous striker in the welterweight division. His rise peaked at UFC 315, where he stepped in on short notice and defeated Belal Muhammad to become the welterweight champion.

Islam Makhachev
Islam Makhachev (via Yahoo Sports)

However, he entered UFC 322 expected to become the first in years to stop Islam Makhachev, but was instead ragdolled and fully dominated by the Dagestani phenom, who won a unanimous decision. The performance reinforced Makhachev’s control at the top level. Following JDM’s recent loss to Carlos Prates at UFC Perth, Makhachev has now weighed in on the fight and the former champion’s future.

I was watching it live. Apparently, Jack Della Maddalena couldn’t collect himself—maybe he hasn’t fully recovered from his last defeat. He couldn’t find his range. I’ve studied his fights a lot. Before we fought, I watched his fights closely—he usually gets in close, changes levels, and throws. But this time around, he just got close and took shots. Carlos Prates did an excellent job. I think Prates has the hype now—he’s being talked about much more.

Islam Makhachev via Red Corner MMA

JDM entered UFC Perth confident in his ability to beat Carlos Prates and had also laid out plans for a future rematch with Islam Makhachev. However, he came up short, suffering a setback that cost him ground in the division. As a result, he has now been demoted to #4 in the welterweight rankings, marking a significant change in his title trajectory and leaving his immediate championship hopes uncertain.

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