Islam Makhachev, the reigning UFC welterweight champion, recently made headlines following his decisive victory over Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322, an event held at Madison Square Garden on November 15, 2025. Makhachev’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, indicated that the champion is set to engage in a significant upcoming fight, but notably mentioned that Ian Garry, currently ranked No. 2 in the welterweight division, is not in the mix for this matchup.
Garry, who has only one loss on his record, finds himself in a competitive spot, overshadowed by Della Maddalena, the former champion who will next be seen in Perth later this year. Despite his high ranking, it appears that Garry’s path to challenging Makhachev for the title isn’t straightforward.
In a social media post, Abdelaziz hinted at a monumental fight on the horizon for Makhachev, suggesting it could eclipse any matchup involving Garry. The anticipated bout could potentially involve either Ilia Topuria, the reigning lightweight champion, or a high-profile clash with former champion Conor McGregor, although the latter’s return to the octagon remains uncertain.
As the MMA landscape continues to evolve, fans are eager to see how these narratives unfold. Makhachev’s rising prominence coupled with Garry’s aspirations sets the stage for an intriguing welterweight division, where surprises and monumental clashes are just around the corner. The mounting excitement surrounding Makhachev’s next fight only underscores the dynamic nature of mixed martial arts, where every event can lead to unexpected outcomes and thrilling encounters.