Lightweight champion Islam Makhachev has confirmed he has started training camp for his next bout. According to the post, his opponent has been verbally confirmed, though Makhachev stopped short of officially naming them. The message playfully references Ian Garry with "Well, Garry? Or other options?" suggesting the Irish welterweight may be in consideration, though this would require a weight class change. Makhachev's return timeline and the official announcement are expected in the coming weeks. The champion's last defense successfully extended his reign at 155 pounds.
Islam Makhachev has announced that training camp is underway for his next fight, with the lightweight champion revealing that an opponent has been verbally agreed upon — though he has yet to publicly name them.
Makhachev, 34, carries a record of 28-1 and has established himself as one of the sport's most dominant champions at 155 pounds. The Russian southpaw, who trains out of Eagles MMA, stands five-foot-ten with a 70-inch reach and blends elite grappling with increasingly sharp striking. He lands 2.63 significant strikes per minute at a 58 percent accuracy rate, and his wrestling output of 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes — supplemented by 1.1 submission attempts in the same window — makes him a threat across every phase of a fight.
In the message confirming camp had begun, Makhachev added a playful reference to Ian Garry, writing "Well, Garry? Or other options?" The welterweight contender Garry would need to move up a weight class to meet Makhachev at lightweight, which adds a layer of uncertainty to whether that matchup is genuinely in play or simply an open taunt. A formal announcement is expected in the coming weeks.
Why it matters
- Makhachev's verbal confirmation of an opponent signals the lightweight title picture is close to becoming clearer
- A potential cross-divisional element involving a welterweight adds an unusual dimension to the booking
- With an official announcement still pending, the identity of the challenger remains the central question for the 155-pound division
