Who Should Challenge Islam Makhachev Next?

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Islam Makhachev stands at the top of the welterweight division after capturing the 170-lb title from Jack Della Maddalena. As he prepares for his first title defense, the picture around his next opponent has become one of the most intriguing storylines in MMA.

Front-Runner: Ian Machado Garry

Multiple outlets report that Ian Machado Garry is the leading candidate for Makhachev’s first welterweight title defense. Garry has aggressively pushed for the fight, publicly calling out Makhachev and criticizing shifting timelines around the champion’s return.

Makhachev responded by saying he is “ready at any time” and is simply waiting for the UFC to send the contract, reinforcing that the delay is not on his side.

Further reporting indicates that UFC is targeting Makhachev vs. Garry for UFC 330 in August, with Garry sitting at No. 2 in the rankings after wins over Belal Muhammad and Carlos Prates.

Why Garry Makes Sense

He’s on a strong winning streak.
He has momentum and media presence.
The UFC can market it as a “Dagestan vs. Ireland” rivalry.
Jon Anik and other analysts publicly back him as the most deserving challenger.

Dark Horse: Kamaru Usman

A surprising twist emerged when Makhachev’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, suggested the UFC was working on a “much bigger” fight — and that Garry’s name was not involved. This immediately sparked speculation about Kamaru Usman.

Usman has expressed interest in fighting Makhachev, and the champion himself has called Usman “the biggest name in welterweight” and “the hardest fight” stylistically.

Why Usman Is a Real Option

Former dominant champion with name value
A legacy fight for both men
UFC loves big-name headliners

However, Usman is later in his career, and the UFC may prefer to build Garry as a new star.

Ruled Out: Michael Morales

At one point, undefeated contender Michael Morales teased that he had secured the title shot. But multiple reports now confirm he has been ruled out as Makhachev’s next opponent.

Even though some analysts argue Morales is the most logical challenger based on merit and style, the UFC appears to be moving in a different direction.

🏁 Conclusion: Garry Leads, but UFC Politics Could Shift the Picture

Based on current reporting, Ian Machado Garry is the clear frontrunner, with UFC 330 in August being the likely landing spot. But the UFC’s interest in a “bigger fight” keeps Kamaru Usman in the conversation, especially given his star power and history.