Ian Machado Garry Earns Champion's Praise Despite UFC 330

Ian Machado Garry may have lost his UFC welterweight title shot, but he gained the ultimate endorsement from the man who beat him. Champion Islam Makhachev, after defeating Garry at UFC 330 in August, has declared the Irish contender the most dangerous fighter at 170 pounds and his likely successor. This high praise comes as Garry handles post-fight criticism and plots his path back to a championship opportunity.

Islam Makhachev's assessment carries significant weight. Following his unanimous decision victory over Garry in Philadelphia, a fight where he broke Anderson Silva's record with his 17th consecutive UFC win, Makhachev ranked his future challengers. He placed Carlos Prates, Michael Morales, and Shavkat Rakhmonov on the same level. But he singled out Garry for the highest praise. "I think one of the most dangerous and serious opponents was my last fight with Ian Garry," Makhachev said. He dismissed another top contender, former Bellator champion Yaroslav Amosov, as not dangerous. The champion's conclusion was clear. "I think he'll become champion after I'm gone. He's young. I think he still has time." This endorsement is a powerful narrative for Garry's career trajectory, even in defeat.

Not everyone was focused on Garry's performance. The 28-year-old faced notable criticism from fans, experts, and even UFC President Dana White for his conduct during the fight's final round. While down on the scorecards, Garry was seen exchanging friendly gestures and hugs with Makhachev. His head coach, Diego Lima, has publicly defended his fighter's behavior. "I swear I didn't notice it," Lima told MMAFighting.com. "And I don't think the hugs influenced anything at all." Lima compared Garry's actions to those of former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira, who is known for similar sportsmanship. He emphasized Garry's character, calling him a "family man, a respectful guy, extremely polite." Lima's stance is that the criticism is overblown. "If he wants to greet people more, let him greet people more. There's no problem with that."

The immediate future involves climbing back into title contention. Garry has already called for a title eliminator bout against the surging, undefeated contender Michael Morales. That fight would make sense in the current landscape. Makhachev has stated he wants to return before Ramadan, targeting a bout by January 2027. While the champion believes Carlos Prates is likely next for him, nothing is official. Garry's performance, which left visible marks on Makhachev's face and pushed the pound-for-pound great, combined with the champion's own testimony, ensures he remains in the thick of the title conversation. His path is clear: a high-profile win over another top-five opponent could fast-track him to a rematch.

Islam Makhachev now holds the UFC's longest active win streak at 17 fights, surpassing the legendary Anderson Silva. His first welterweight title defense against Ian Machado Garry was a strategic battle decided by unanimous decision after five rounds.

• Key Takeaway: Champion Islam Makhachev believes Ian Machado Garry is the most dangerous welterweight and will win the title after he retires.
• Key Takeaway: Garry's coach Diego Lima defends the fighter against criticism for showing sportsmanship during his UFC 330 title loss.
• Key Takeaway: Garry is angling for a title eliminator against Michael Morales as Makhachev eyes a return in early 2027.