UFC Benches Garry for Makhachev
The UFC has benched No. 2 ranked welterweight Ian Garry, shelving his title run to organize a "much bigger" comeback fight for former lightweight champion Islam Makhachev. This pivot reflects the UFC's strategy of maximizing star power over strict divisional rankings. The promotion is targeting a marquee matchup that could have cross-divisional implications.
Islam Makhachev currently holds the UFC's pound-for-pound top ranking and boasts a 16-fight winning streak. After a dominant run as the lightweight champion, he moved up to welterweight and captured the title from Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322. Ian "The Future" Garry, the No. 2 contender, has been actively climbing the welterweight ranks. The Irish fighter holds a professional record of 17-1-0 and is coming off significant wins against Carlos Prates and former title challenger Belal Muhammad. His only professional loss was a decision against the undefeated Shavkat Rakhmonov. The "much bigger fight" for Makhachev is rumored to be a superfight against current lightweight champion Ilia Topuria. This potential champion-versus-champion bout is the kind of high-stakes matchup the UFC prioritizes for its biggest stars. Makhachev has acknowledged the interest in the fight but has also shot down rumors of it happening at a specific event. Another name being floated as a potential opponent for Makhachev is the undefeated No. 3 ranked welterweight Michael Morales, who holds a perfect 19-0 record. This matchup would pit two of the division's most dominant rising forces against each other. The decision to sideline Garry has not been without comment from the contender himself. Expressing his frustration with the wait, Garry was recently quoted saying, "I'm ready… He needs more time. Imagine being the number one pound for pound fighter on the planet and needing MORE time.” This move is part of a larger UFC trend of prioritizing blockbuster fights that draw significant pay-per-view numbers over adhering strictly to divisional rankings. This strategy often involves creating compelling narratives and cross-divisional superfights to capture mainstream attention.
