Ian Machado Garry Books UFC Saudi Arabia Co-Main Event vs Yaroslav Amosov

Ian Machado Garry is officially booked for a major welterweight clash at UFC Saudi Arabia on December 5. The Irish contender will face former Bellator champion Yaroslav Amosov in a five-round co-main event in Riyadh. This marks Garry's first fight since losing a unanimous decision to champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 330 in August, a performance UFC president Dana White publicly criticized for a lack of action.

A High-Stakes Return Against a Dark Horse

Garry's assignment is a tough one against an underrated force. Amosov, a former Bellator welterweight champion, holds an 11th place ranking in the UFC's Media rankings. For Garry, ranked first in those same standings, this is a critical opportunity to re-establish momentum. A win over a respected name like Amosov would keep him firmly in the title conversation after his recent setback. The fight was confirmed by the UFC on November 8 as part of a stacked 12-fight card headlined by Israel Adesanya versus Shara Magomedov.

The Path Back From a Title Fight Defeat

Garry's last outing was a unanimous decision loss to Islam Makhachev for the welterweight title in August. Before that, he had built an impressive resume. He bounced back from his first career loss to Shavkat Rakhmonov in 2024 with victories over Carlos Prates and former title challenger Belal Muhammad last year. Those wins directly earned him the shot at Makhachev. The 28-year-old's career trajectory has been steep since his UFC debut in 2021, featuring stoppage wins over Song Kenan and Daniel Rodriguez before outpointing veteran Neil Magny.

Handling a Crowded Welterweight Landscape

The division around Garry remains in flux, influencing his immediate future. Earlier speculation had linked him to fights with contenders like Michael Morales or Jack Della Maddalena. However, the interim title picture shifted those plans. Carlos Prates is now set to fight Morales for an interim belt, while Shavkat Rakhmonov's return from a long-term knee injury faces further delays. Rakhmonov's manager, Daniel Rubenstein, recently shut down rumors of a January return against Della Maddalena, stating the talk was "completely false." This leaves the top of the division waiting for clarity, making Garry's December performance even more significant for the 2027 title picture.

• Key Fight Details: Ian Machado Garry vs. Yaroslav Amosov is a five-round welterweight co-main event at UFC Saudi Arabia on December 5, 2026.

with his only UFC losses coming against champion Islam Makhachev and top contender Shavkat Rakhmonov.

• Amosov's Pedigree: The Ukrainian fighter brings an elite grappling base and former champion experience from Bellator into his second UFC bout.
• Division Context: With an interim title fight booked and Rakhmonov still sidelined, a win puts Garry right back in the mix for a number-one contender bout.