Newly crowned UFC Welterweight Champion Islam Makhachev finds himself in an unusual predicament: actively searching for a worthy challenger for his next fight. While the 170-pound division is brimming with talent, a clear hierarchy has been slow to form, leading to a public debate between the champion, top contenders, and the UFC over who deserves the shot.
Makhachev’s own preference for a legacy fight against former champion Kamaru Usman has clashed with the momentum of undefeated rising stars and the frustration of inactive top contenders. This has created a multi-faceted puzzle for the promotion to solve in booking the champion’s next title defence.
The Champion’s Wish: A Legacy Defence Against Kamaru Usman
Despite winning the title from Jack Della Maddalena just last month, Makhachev has been vocal about his desired first title defence. He has repeatedly named Kamaru Usman, the division’s former kingpin with the record for most consecutive title defences, as his preferred opponent.
Makhachev justifies this choice by arguing it represents the “hardest fight” available and a major event for fans. He has publicly questioned the readiness of newer contenders, stating “Usman would steamroll through these up-and-comers,” and views a fight with the proven former champion as the most significant challenge to solidify his own legacy at welterweight.
The Contender Standoff: Rising Stars vs. The Inactive Heir
Makhachev’s focus on Usman has sparked significant pushback from the division’s active contenders, creating clear factions vying for the title shot.
- The New Blood (Michael Morales, Carlos Prates): Both fighters have made undeniable cases with spectacular recent knockouts—Morales over Sean Brady and Prates over a top contender. Their perfect records and finishing power have forced the division to take notice, with even Usman acknowledging their worthiness.
- Ian Machado Garry’s Claim: After a decisive victory, Garry positioned himself as a top contender and has been the most vocal critic of the Usman fight, dismissing the former champion as a “has been” and arguing he himself is the rightful next challenger.
- The Forgotten Heir (Shavkat Rakhmonov): Once the presumed number-one contender, the undefeated Rakhmonov has seen his stock fall due to a year of inactivity from injury. Makhachev has explicitly ruled him out, stating a contender cannot be inactive and then immediately fight for the title.
Possible Paths for Makhachev’s Next Fight
The UFC now faces a complex booking decision with multiple valid, but conflicting, options for Makhachev’s next title defence.
- Grant the Champion’s Wish: Book Makhachev vs. Usman. This is the path of least resistance with the champion and maximises mainstream name value, but risks alienating active, rising contenders.
- Mandate a Fresh Contender: Force Makhachev to defend against Garry, Morales, or Prates. This rewards recent activity and performance but may not be the biggest commercial draw.
- Create a Clear Contender: Book an interim title eliminator between two top contenders (e.g., Garry vs. Morales) to establish an undeniable next challenger, pushing Makhachev’s next fight slightly later in 2026.
For his part, Makhachev has stated he will fight anyone the UFC selects. “My division is really lively now… I don’t care. The UFC will probably offer me someone soon,” he said, indicating a willingness to defend against whoever is put in front of him.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Islam Makhachev’s next fight?
No date has been announced. The fight is dependent on the UFC resolving the current contender debate and finalising an opponent. The earliest realistic timeline would be early 2026.
Who is most likely to be Islam Makhachev’s next opponent?
While Kamaru Usman is the champion’s personal preference, surging contenders like Ian Machado Garry or Michael Morales present strong alternative cases. The UFC’s final decision is still pending.
Why isn’t Shavkat Rakhmonov in contention for the next title shot?
Due to inactivity from injury. Makhachev and others have stated that a contender cannot sit out for a year and immediately receive a title fight, opening the door for more active fighters.
What did Ian Machado Garry say about the potential Usman fight?
Garry has been highly critical, calling Usman a “has been” and stating it would be “disrespectful” to the division for Makhachev to fight him next instead of an active top contender like himself.