Ian Machado Garry has raised doubts over the delay in booking a UFC welterweight title fight against champion Islam Makhachev, questioning whether the champion’s reported injury is the reason for the holdup.
Garry has repeatedly indicated that a bout with Makhachev is expected but has yet to be officially scheduled, with UFC CEO Dana White citing a hand injury as the reason the champion was unavailable for an upcoming June event. However, recent training footage posted by Makhachev has led Garry to publicly question that explanation.
“WTF,” Garry wrote in response to the training footage on Instagram. “Hand injury or time wasting?”
Despite Garry’s push for confirmation, White reiterated Makhachev’s status following UFC London and stopped short of naming the next challenger. “Islam’s coming back from an injury, a hand injury,” White said. “As soon as he’s ready, we’ll figure out what’s next for him,” according to comments made after UFC London.
Makhachev last competed in November, when he defeated Jack Della Maddalena by unanimous decision to claim the UFC welterweight title, adding to his previous reign as lightweight champion. The move marked his second divisional title run in the promotion.
Garry is widely viewed as a leading contender for the next title opportunity, but no agreement has been finalized, leaving the timeline for a potential matchup with Makhachev uncertain.
The situation remains unresolved as the UFC awaits Makhachev’s return to full fitness, with the promotion yet to confirm its next step in the welterweight division.
