Exclusive: UFC Qatar's Ian Machado Garry Vows to Dom...

By Fernando Quiles Jr

Contributing Sports Writer

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Before he takes the stage at UFC Qatar against Belal Muhammad (24-4, 1 NC), Ian Machado Garry (16-1) has high hopes for a potential showdown with Islam Makhachev. In the main event of UFC 322, Makhachev captured the welterweight gold from Jack Della Maddalena in a one-sided unanimous decision victory. While the win further displayed Makhachev's dominance, Garry believes he can exploit holes in the champion's game.

Speaking to Newsweek Sports, "The Future" made it clear that he thinks he will shock mixed martial arts fans with how dominant he would be if he shares the Octagon with Makhachev.

"I'm going to beat Belal Muhammad," Garry said. "I'm going to spark him unconscious. I'm then going to fight Islam Makhachev. I'm going to take that belt from his waist and wrap it around my own. I am going to dominate Islam Makhachev in a way the world could never imagine."

Ian Machado Garry enters the UFC Octagon.

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More News: Exclusive: UFC Qatar’s Belal Muhammad Expects Ian Machado Garry to Run

State of the Welterweight Division

Aside from Makhachev's victory, there was significant movement in the welterweight division at UFC 322. Michael Morales scored a quick TKO finish over Sean Brady. Carlos Prates became the first fighter to knock former UFC Welterweight Champion Leon Edwards out. Garry thinks the 170-pound weight class is quite healthy.

"It's the most exciting division there has been in UFC history, and it's incredible to be a part of it," Garry said. "I'm excited. There's very few times I remember a division being this stacked from top to bottom with potential champions littered across the top 10. It's an awesome time as a fight fan, but also as a competitor because I look at all of these as potential opponents and people that I'm going to be excited to defend my title against when I get there."

Criticizing JDM's Performance

Garry was recently critical of Maddalena's showing against Makhachev inside Madison Square Garden in New York City. While he wasn't surprised at how clean Makhachev looked, he was taken aback by how little Maddalena seemed to be ready for the fight.

"I thought Islam looked exactly the way that Islam looks," Garry said. "He looked incredible. He's always been good on the feet. I would never say he's been amazing on the feet, but he looked better in this fight against Jack. He looked like he put a lot of time and effort into that striking. He looked amazing, and then his grappling has always been the upper echelon of the sport. He's always been the highest level of grappler in the sport.

"I was just shocked with how unprepared Jack and his team looked. I, as a fight fan and as a spectator, couldn't tell you what Jack's plan was. You know exactly what you're going to get from someone like Islam Makhachev. So, it was ridiculous, but I promise you now when I get a chance to compete against Islam Makhachev, I'll be ready, I'll be prepared, and I'll go out there and do what needs to be done to get that belt off him."

No Tears For Leon Edwards

When Garry saw Prates shut the lights off Edwards in "The Big Apple," he wasn't exactly sad to see the former UFC Welterweight Champion suffer his third loss in a row.

"I love Prates as a fighter," Garry said. "I think he's awesome. Every time I watch him, he's exciting. He's amazing at what he does, and to see him knock out someone I dislike because of the false rumors that they said about me and my family and all of the [expletive] that he brought along with that energy, it was a very lovely moment to see Carlos Prates put him unconscious. I liked watching that fight a lot."

Garry believes Prates' knockout victory was the final nail in the coffin for "Rocky's" pro MMA career.

"I've been saying that two fights before that," Garry said. "A hundred percent, he should absolutely retire. He should never have fought that fight in the first place. I'm shocked he took a fight with Carlos Prates. I told the world that. Now, I believe he's done."

Jury Still Out on Michael Morales?

As for Morales' aforementioned win over Brady, Garry believes it was an impressive showing from the undefeated 170-pounder. Still, Garry hasn't seen enough of Morales inside the Octagon to view him as a credible threat.

"It's the first time I've seen Morales fight, and actually put some respect on his victory because he's actually fought someone who's been winning fights in Sean Brady," Garry said. "Again, I still believe I need to see more. He looks good, but I still see so many holes. If I ever fight him, I promise you now I piece him up."

Showdown With Belal Muhammad

Garry's fight with Muhammad will serve as the co-main event of UFC Qatar on Saturday. It'll be Muhammad's first fight since losing the UFC Welterweight Championship to Maddalena back in May. There is mutual respect going into the fight.

"I have nothing but respect for Belal," Garry said. "I'm one of the fighters in this division that puts more respect on his name than most. I think he's a very good fighter who gets it done regardless of what people think or say about him and his skillset. He finds a way to win, and that's what's important in this sport is getting your hand raised. The guy has absolutely manhandled some of the best in the world."

That respect goes out the window on fight night, however. "The Future" doesn't see a scenario where Muhammad gets the victory over him this weekend.

"I have respect for him; however, it's a competition," Garry said. "This is a man who thinks that on November 22nd he's going to enter that Octagon and going to be able to beat me. I completely disagree. I know the level I am, and I know how talented I am, and I know the gifts God has given me. There is no world where Belal Muhammad gets his hand raised."

Rematch With Shavkat Rakhmonov?

When Shavkat Rakhmonov defeated Garry in late 2024, he was well on his way to his first UFC title opportunity. Injuries derailed that plan, and he's seemingly taken a backseat as the welterweight division moves on. Garry wants to make sure that Rakhmonov doesn't slip through the cracks before they have a rematch.

"My first callout when I'm the champion is going to be who? Shavkat Rakhmonov," Garry said. "That is the fight that I promise you the entire world will want to see when I get that belt. I am going to win that belt, and the second I get on the microphone, I'm not going to waste any time."

Lessons Learned in Fatherhood

While Garry is known for building up hype during fight week, his son often steals the spotlight from him. The No. 6-ranked UFC welterweight wouldn't have it any other way.

"I love my son being involved in fight week," Garry said. "I couldn't imagine a life where he wasn't involved in all of this. It's part of my life. It's part of my journey. I was excited when I was having a child to have him in this energy and seeing my hard work, my dedication. To see him love it and understand it and get it, but also see the world love his passion for the sport and his humor, it's sensational."

Garry said there are countless things he has learned and continues to learn about being a parent.

"Where do we start? Nothing is as important as giving your kids time, looking them in the eye, being present, playing with them," Garry said. "They don't want things, toys. They don't want materialistic things. They want your time and your energy and your focus because that will help mold and shape their future. I love that my son can speak two languages, and the earlier you start doing something with that, I believe, the more brain capacity they can fulfil because they think and dream in different languages.

"I believe the best way to parent is to simply be present with your children and listen to them because they will tell you everything," Garry said.

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