Ian Machado Garry's Title Shot Fallout and UFC 330 Loss to Islam Makhachev

Ian Machado Garry's bid for UFC welterweight gold ended in a unanimous decision loss to champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 330 in August. The Irish contender's five-round effort fell short, and the division's landscape has since shifted decisively away from him.

The championship picture has moved on. Following his victory over Garry, Makhachev is now reportedly set to make his next defense against Brazilian contender Carlos Prates. The fight is targeted to headline UFC 336 on January 30, 2027, in Toronto. Makhachev, 34, has been clear about his desire to compete before the start of Ramadan in early February. This timeline locks in the next title fight and sidelines Garry from an immediate rematch.

Prates earned his shot with a knockout win over Jack Della Maddalena earlier this year, building a three-fight win streak. His call-out and the subsequent booking confirm that Garry must now work his way back through a competitive top tier. Another welterweight, Michael Morales, has also been vocal, sending a warning to Prates ahead of the proposed title bout.

Garry went the full 25-minute distance with the dominant champion but could not secure the judges' scorecards. The event took place in August, and the result was a clear setback for the previously undefeated Irish star. Makhachev, who had moved up from lightweight to claim the 170-pound belt by beating Della Maddalena in November 2025, successfully defended it for the first time against Garry. The champion emerged without major injury, mentioning only a need to check his nose after the fight.

This loss represents the first significant hurdle in Garry's UFC career. His path forward requires a significant rebound victory against a high-ranked opponent to re-enter the title conversation. The welterweight division is moving fast, and with a new challenger already lined up, Garry's window for another shot has temporarily closed.

• Ian Machado Garry lost a unanimous decision to Islam Makhachev at UFC 330 in August.
• Champion Makhachev is now slated to defend against Carlos Prates at UFC 336 on January 30, 2027.
• Garry must rebuild with a win against a top contender to get back into the title picture.