Unique: UFC Qatar's Ian Machado Garry Vows to Dominate Islam Makhachev

[ad_1] Earlier than he takes the stage at UFC Qatar towards Belal Muhammad (24-4, 1 NC), Ian Machado Garry (16-1) has excessive hopes for a possible showdown with Islam Makhachev. In the principle occasion of UFC 322, Makhachev captured the welterweight gold from Jack Della Maddalena in a one-sided unanimous choice victory. Whereas the win additional displayed Makhachev's dominance, Garry believes he can exploit holes within the champion's recreation.

Chatting with Newsweek Sports activities, "The Future" made it clear that he thinks he'll shock combined martial arts followers with how dominant he can be if he shares the Octagon with Makhachev.

"I'll beat Belal Muhammad," Garry stated. "I'll spark him unconscious. I am then going to combat Islam Makhachev. I'll take that belt from his waist and wrap it round my very own. I'm going to dominate Islam Makhachev in a method the world may by no means think about."

<img id="11090951" alt="Ian Machado Garry enters the UFC Octagon." caption="LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 07: Ian Machado Garry of Ireland looks on prior to a welterweight fight during UFC 310 at T-Mobile Arena on December 07, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images)" credit="" sourcealt="" sources="[]" fetchpriority="auto" loading="lazy" width="3929" height="2619" decoding="async" data-nimg="1" src="color:transparent;aspect-ratio:inherit;object-fit:cover" sizes="(min-width: 1200px) 1536px, (min-width: 768px) 768px, 100vw" srcset="https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/GettyImages-2188810819.jpg?w=640&quality=80&webp=1 640w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/GettyImages-2188810819.jpg?w=750&quality=80&webp=1 750w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/GettyImages-2188810819.jpg?w=1000&quality=80&webp=1 1000w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/GettyImages-2188810819.jpg?w=1200&quality=80&webp=1 1200w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/GettyImages-2188810819.jpg?w=1360&quality=80&webp=1 1360w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/GettyImages-2188810819.jpg?w=1600&quality=80&webp=1 1600w" bad-src="https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/GettyImages-2188810819.jpg?w=1600&quality=80&webp=1"/> Extra Information: Unique: UFC Qatar’s Belal Muhammad Expects Ian Machado Garry to Run

State of the Welterweight Division Apart from Makhachev's victory, there was vital motion within the welterweight division at UFC 322. Michael Morales scored a fast TKO end over Sean Brady. Carlos Prates turned the primary fighter to knock former UFC Welterweight Champion Leon Edwards out. Garry thinks the 170-pound weight class is sort of wholesome.

"It is probably the most thrilling division there was in UFC historical past, and it is unbelievable to be part of it," Garry stated. "I am excited. There's only a few occasions I keep in mind a division being this stacked from high to backside with potential champions littered throughout the highest 10. It is an superior time as a combat fan, but in addition as a competitor as a result of I take a look at all of those as potential opponents and folks that I'll be excited to defend my title towards once I get there."

Criticizing JDM's Efficiency Garry was just lately crucial of Maddalena's exhibiting towards Makhachev inside Madison Sq. Backyard in New York Metropolis. Whereas he wasn't stunned at how clear Makhachev appeared, he was bowled over by how little Maddalena gave the impression to be prepared for the combat.

"I assumed Islam appeared precisely the way in which that Islam appears," Garry stated. "He appeared unbelievable. He is at all times been good on the ft. I'd by no means say he is been superb on the ft, however he appeared higher on this combat towards Jack. He appeared like he put a whole lot of effort and time into that putting. He appeared superb, after which his grappling has at all times been the higher echelon of the game. He is at all times been the very best stage of grappler within the sport.

"I used to be simply shocked with how unprepared Jack and his workforce appeared. I, as a combat fan and as a spectator, could not let you know what Jack's plan was. You recognize precisely what you are going to get from somebody like Islam Makhachev. So, it was ridiculous, however I promise you now once I get an opportunity to compete towards Islam Makhachev, I will be prepared, I will be ready, and I am going to go on the market and do what must be achieved to get that belt off him."

No Tears For Leon Edwards When Garry noticed Prates shut the lights off Edwards in "The Large Apple," he wasn't precisely unhappy to see the previous UFC Welterweight Champion endure his third loss in a row.

"I really like Prates as a fighter," Garry stated. "I feel he is superior. Each time I watch him, he is thrilling. He is superb at what he does, and to see him knock out somebody I dislike due to the false rumors that they stated about me and my household and all the [expletive] that he introduced together with that power, it was a really pretty second to see Carlos Prates put him unconscious. I preferred watching that combat so much."

Garry believes Prates' knockout victory was the ultimate nail within the coffin for "Rocky's" professional MMA profession.

"I have been saying that two fights earlier than that," Garry stated. "100%, he ought to completely retire. He ought to by no means have fought that combat within the first place. I am shocked he took a combat with Carlos Prates. I informed the world that. Now, I imagine he is achieved."

Jury Nonetheless Out on Michael Morales? As for Morales' aforementioned win over Brady, Garry believes it was a formidable exhibiting from the undefeated 170-pounder. Nonetheless, Garry hasn't seen sufficient of Morales contained in the Octagon to view him as a reputable menace.

"It is the primary time I've seen Morales combat, and really put some respect on his victory as a result of he is really fought somebody who's been successful fights in Sean Brady," Garry stated. "Once more, I nonetheless imagine I must see extra. He appears good, however I nonetheless see so many holes. If I ever combat him, I promise you now I piece him up."

Showdown With Belal Muhammad Garry's combat with Muhammad will function the co-main occasion of UFC Qatar on Saturday. It's going to be Muhammad's first combat since shedding the UFC Welterweight Championship to Maddalena again in Could. There may be mutual respect going into the combat.

"I've nothing however respect for Belal," Garry stated. "I am one of many fighters on this division that places extra respect on his identify than most. I feel he is an excellent fighter who will get it achieved no matter what individuals suppose or say about him and his skillset. He finds a method to win, and that is what's vital on this sport is getting your hand raised. The man has completely manhandled among the greatest on the earth."

That respect goes out the window on combat night time, nevertheless. "The Future" would not see a state of affairs the place Muhammad will get the victory over him this weekend.

"I've respect for him; nevertheless, it is a competitors," Garry stated. "It is a man who thinks that on November twenty second he will enter that Octagon and going to have the ability to beat me. I fully disagree. I do know the extent I'm, and I understand how proficient I'm, and I do know the presents God has given me. There is no such thing as a world the place Belal Muhammad will get his hand raised."

Rematch With Shavkat Rakhmonov? When Shavkat Rakhmonov defeated Garry in late 2024, he was nicely on his method to his first UFC title alternative. Accidents derailed that plan, and he is seemingly taken a backseat because the welterweight division strikes on. Garry desires to be sure that Rakhmonov would not slip via the cracks earlier than they've a rematch.

"My first callout once I'm the champion goes to be who? Shavkat Rakhmonov," Garry stated. "That's the combat that I promise you your entire world will wish to see once I get that belt. I'm going to win that belt, and the second I get on the microphone, I am not going to waste any time."

Classes Realized in Fatherhood Whereas Garry is understood for build up hype throughout combat week, his son usually steals the highlight from him. The No. 6-ranked UFC welterweight would not have it some other method.

"I really like my son being concerned in combat week," Garry stated. "I could not think about a life the place he wasn't concerned in all of this. It is a part of my life. It is a part of my journey. I used to be excited once I was having a baby to have him on this power and seeing my laborious work, my dedication. To see him adore it and perceive it and get it, but in addition see the world love his ardour for the game and his humor, it is sensational."

Garry stated there are numerous issues he has discovered and continues to study being a mum or dad.

"The place can we begin? Nothing is as vital as giving your youngsters time, wanting them within the eye, being current, enjoying with them," Garry stated. "They do not need issues, toys. They do not need materialistic issues. They need your time and your power and your focus as a result of that can assist mould and form their future. I really like that my son can communicate two languages, and the sooner you begin doing one thing with that, I imagine, the extra mind capability they will fulfil as a result of they suppose and dream in several languages.

"I imagine one of the best ways to mum or dad is to easily be current together with your kids and take heed to them as a result of they'll let you know all the pieces," Garry stated.