Top-ranked welterweight contender Ian Machado Garry announced he's begun training camp for his first fight of 2026 via Instagram, following a 2-0 run in 2025 that included wins over Carlos Prates and Belal Muhammad. The division is chaotic after Islam Makhachev captured the title from Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322, positioning Garry strongly for a shot. Carlos Prates, now #5 after knockouts of Geoff Neal and Leon Edwards, also teased fight news, hinting at potential rematch or clash with #3 Michael Morales. Another win could secure Garry's title opportunity in the reshuffled welterweight landscape. Expect booking news soon amid contender buzz.
Ian Machado Garry has entered training camp for his anticipated first outing of 2026, with the 28-year-old welterweight contender sharing the news on Instagram as he sets his sights on a UFC title shot.
Garry, nicknamed "The Future," arrives at this point carrying a 17-1-0 record and the number-one ranking in the welterweight division. Standing six-foot-three with a 74-inch reach, the orthodox striker is one of the busiest offensive weapons in the weight class, averaging 4.78 significant strikes per minute at 54 percent accuracy. Back-to-back victories in 2025 — over Carlos Prates and then Belal Muhammad — have made his case for a championship opportunity difficult to ignore.
The title picture shifted dramatically when Islam Makhachev moved up and dethroned Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322. Makhachev, now 28-1-0 and the reigning welterweight champion at 34 years old, brings a complete skillset to the 170-pound throne, averaging 3.2 takedowns and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes alongside a striking accuracy of 58 percent. Della Maddalena, who had averaged a remarkable 5.57 significant strikes per minute during his reign, falls to 18-4-0 and sits at number four in the updated rankings.
Adding intrigue to the division, fifth-ranked Carlos Prates — fresh off knockout victories over Geoff Neal and Leon Edwards — has hinted that fight news is coming. A potential rematch with Garry or a collision with third-ranked Michael Morales would further clarify the contender pecking order.
Why it matters
- Garry's number-one ranking and 2-0 run in 2025 make him the most credible title challenger in a reshuffled division
- Makhachev's arrival as champion introduces a new dynamic, particularly on the grappling side, for any potential opponent
- Movement from Prates and Morales could complicate or accelerate Garry's path depending on how bookings unfold in the coming weeks
