Irish UFC welterweight contender Ian Machado Garry has stated he expects to fight champion Islam Makhachev after the upcoming UFC Qatar event, rejecting what he described as an inferior matchup with former champion Kamaru Usman.

Garry, set to face former 170-pound champion Belal Muhammad in the co-main event of UFC Qatar this weekend, said a strong performance would cement his status as the number-one contender.

“I don’t think it’s the advantage of me being last, I think it’s me being the best and the most interesting,” Garry said during media day. He also questioned Usman’s suitability as a title challenger, stating: “Where is he now in the rankings, around 8 or 9? Does he still represent the best option for Islam?”

The discourse comes amid Makhachev’s recent move into the welterweight division following his victory at UFC 322 against now-former champ Jack Della Maddalena. Usman, meanwhile, revived his career this year with a decision win, reigniting speculation of a potential matchup between him and Makhachev. Garry described such a fight as “an easy paycheck… an easy win” for Makhachev and argued the champion should instead face a younger, hungrier contender.

If Garry defeats Muhammad, he expects to secure a direct path to the welterweight title and awaits confirmation of the championship bout. He said Makhachev must “fight one of the young up-and-coming contenders, not a has-been who has no knees.”

Garry’s comments tap into a larger reshuffling of the welterweight division, where contenders such as Shavkat Rakhmonov, Carlos Prates and Michael Morales also vie for title contention. Garry, who previously lost to Rakhmonov at UFC 310, is focused on rebuilding momentum ahead of what he hopes is a shot at the belt.