Negotiations are reportedly underway for a fight between lightweight champion Islam Makhachev and welterweight contender Ian Garry, according to journalist Alvaro Colmenero. The report explicitly states that Michael Morales will not be Makhachev's next opponent. Makhachev is tentatively scheduled to defend his title at UFC 330 in Philadelphia, though the bout could potentially take place during international fight week in July instead. This would represent a significant step up for Garry moving to lightweight to challenge the champion.
Negotiations are reportedly underway for a crossover bout between lightweight champion Islam Makhachev and welterweight contender Ian Garry, according to journalist Alvaro Colmenero. The report is unconfirmed, but indicates Makhachev's next title defense could come at UFC 330 in Philadelphia, with international fight week in July as an alternative window.
Makhachev, 34, enters these reported talks as one of the most dominant champions in the sport, carrying a 28-1 record and holding the pound-for-pound top ranking. The Russian fighter out of Eagles MMA is a southpaw standing five-foot-ten with a 70-inch reach. His grappling remains a central weapon, averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes, while he also lands at a striking accuracy of 58 percent — one of the higher marks among active champions.
The same report specifically rules out undefeated welterweight Michael Morales as a potential next opponent for Makhachev. The 27-year-old Ecuadorian, ranked second at welterweight, carries a perfect 19-0 record and has drawn attention with a striking output of 5.62 significant strikes per minute. Despite that buzz around a potential Makhachev matchup, Colmenero's report closes that door for now.
Should the Garry fight materialize, it would see the Irish welterweight moving up a division to challenge Makhachev on the champion's turf at lightweight.
Why it matters
- Makhachev defending against a welterweight moving up adds a rare crossover element to the lightweight title picture
- Morales, ranked second at welterweight, is passed over despite significant momentum at 19-0
- The tentative UFC 330 or international fight week timeline suggests a mid-2026 target for Makhachev's next appearance
- As an unconfirmed report, the matchup remains fluid until official announcements from the UFC
