Islam Makhachev‘s manager would much rather see Kamaru Usman challenge next for the UFC welterweight title over Ian Machado Garry.
Ali Abdelaziz of Dominance MMA, who manages both Makhachev (28-1 MMA, 17-1 UFC) and Usman (21-4 MMA, 16-3 UFC), has been angling for his clients to fight each other this year in a matchup between current and former UFC pound-for-pound No. 1 ranked fighters.
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Makhachev and Usman both have been clear in their shared desire to face each other, as well, but Makhachev also has stated he will defend his belt against whomever the UFC deems most deserving.
There are a number of potentially worthwhile contenders at 170 pounds. Michael Morales and Shavkat Rakhmonov are both undefeated. Carlos Prates is a fan-favorite coming off a knockout of Leon Edwards, then Machado Garry went 2-0 in 2025 with wins over Prates and former champ Belal Muhammad.
Could it be that Ireland’s Machado Garry (17-1 MMA, 10-1 UFC) is the frontrunner? That might be so given Abdelaziz’s comments.
“(Makhachev and Usman) want to fight each other, but UFC might have a different plan. But that’s what I think. Maybe they think differently. But don’t tell me Ian Garry, he’s the guy people are jumping over,” Abdelaziz told MMA Junkie. “I have no problem with him. He just lost to Shavkat, and he was almost finished by Prates. It’s not like a guy who’s going to sell out an arena or something like that. If he’s going to sell out the arena, why don’t you make him and Belal the event in Qatar? You made Arman (Tsarukyan) and Dan Hooker? Neither of these guys are former champions. The math doesn’t add up for me.
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“He’s not the guy people think he is. He was not good enough to be the main event in Qatar. This is my side of the story. I’m sure UFC have a different side, and we will meet up. Islam would like to fight in May or June. I heard they have Prudential Center (in Newark) in maybe May, or June at the White House would be good. We’ll figure it out.”
Although the welterweight division is crowded and as exciting as it’s ever been, Abdelaziz thinks now is the time to capitalize on Makhachev vs. Usman. He understands the argument that Usman is 1-3 in his past four fights but said that type of record hasn’t deterred UFC from making similar matchups in the past.
He thinks Usman is the more compelling fight for Makhachev on paper, too, whereas he argues Machado Garry doesn’t bring the same type of intrigue.
“I asked one guy very high up in the UFC, I’m not going to say who, but I had to ask him if he thinks Ian Garry, coming from nine out of 10 fights by decision, is he an exciting fighter? He’s like, ‘No, he’s boring,'” Abdelaziz said. “Listen, if you compare Kamaru Usman to Ian Garry or any of these other guys, Kamaru Usman is the toughest matchup. I’ve trained with both guys, and I’m telling you Kamaru Usman is the toughest matchup because I don’t think Islam is going to take him down and do what he does to other guys. He’s going to have to strike with him, and it’s going to be a war. For Islam’s legacy, Kamaru is the former pound-for-pound No. 1 guy in the world. And his name value.
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“Listen, UFC doesn’t care about the rankings. They can tell me whatever they want. Khalil Rountree fought for the title at No. 8. Yoel Romero was coming from a loss. Frankie Edgar, coming from a loss, fought Aldo. Kamaru is coming from a win, and he barely lost to Khamzat (Chimaev). Has anybody whooped Kamaru Usman’s ass in the octagon? Never. Kamaru Usman is Islam Makhachev’s toughest fight.”
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Islam Makhachev’s manager hints UFC wants Ian Machado Garry next
