Makhachev’s upcoming fight announcement is seemingly
overdue.
Makhachev (28-1) recently attended PSG’s Champions League victory
match against Arsenal in Budapest, Hungary. Makhachev revealed that
he would be going into fight camp immediately after, eyeing a
return in August. Makhachev also acknowledged Ian Garry
(17-1) as the frontrunner for the next welterweight title shot
against him. While Makhachev also mentioned that there are other
contenders, the Dagestani star doesn’t plan on parting with his
belt.
“Right after here I’m going to camp,” Makhachev told UFC on TNT
Sports. “[Return likely in] August. I will be ready. Lot of
contenders but No. 1 is Ian Garry. We
still have couple of more [contenders] who want to take the belt
but I don’t give no one.”
A Variety of Contenders
Garry has contenders like Carlos
Prates and Michael
Morales in the race with him. However, Prates recently said
that Garry would fight Makhachev in August. The
UFC has yet to officially announce the fight. However,
Makhachev’s latest comments seem to confirm Prates’ claims.
Makhachev defended his lightweight title four times, the most in
the history of the division, before moving up to welterweight.
Makhachev dominantly defeated Jack
Della Maddalena to win the welterweight title at UFC 322
this past November. Meanwhile, Garry has 10 UFC wins while
suffering his lone professional loss against fellow contender
Shavkat
Rakhmonov, who is now recovering from an injury. “The Future”
has rebounded from that loss with wins over Prates and Belal
Muhammad.
Islam
Makhachev hints at an August return and a potential showdown
with Ian
Garry 👀 🔥 pic.twitter.com/nuW2PI6gug— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt)
May 31, 2026