Makhachev On Garry's Title Future At Welterweight

UFC lightweight champion Islam Makhachev sees Ian Machado Garry as a future welterweight champion — just not anytime soon.

Makhachev recently shared his rankings of the top 170-pound contenders and placed Garry near the summit, according to MMA Fighting. The Dagestani standout believes the Irish fighter has the tools to capture gold, but only after Makhachev himself steps away from the division.

The comments follow Makhachev's welterweight title defense against Garry at UFC 330 in August, a bout that saw the challenger test the champion across five rounds. While the fight failed to ignite as a classic, Garry proved durable enough to survive the full distance against one of the sport's most suffocating grapplers.

Makhachev's assessment suggests he views Garry as a legitimate threat in the 170-pound landscape, though the timing of any title run remains uncertain. The champion indicated Garry's coronation would need to wait until he vacates or moves on from welterweight himself.

Garry has steadily climbed the welterweight rankings with his unbeaten record and slick striking. His performance against Makhachev, despite the loss, demonstrated he belongs among the elite at 170 pounds.

No timeline has been announced for when Makhachev might relinquish the welterweight strap or whether Garry will get another crack at the champion before that happens.