Ian Garry says Islam Makhachev declined an official offer to fight him in May at UFC 328. Garry also claims the UFC explored a Makhachev vs. Ilia Topuria bout at the White House, but that Makhachev turned down that option as well.
Welterweight champion Islam Makhachev has reportedly turned down not one but two opportunities to compete, according to claims made by Ian Garry — though neither the UFC nor Makhachev's camp has officially confirmed any of this.
Garry says he was offered a fight against Makhachev in May at UFC 328, and that the champion declined. The Irish contender also alleges the UFC pursued a separate matchup between Makhachev and Ilia Topuria, reportedly discussed at a high-profile White House event, and that Makhachev turned that option down as well.
Makhachev, 34, holds a 28-1 record and currently sits atop both the welterweight division and the pound-for-pound rankings. The Russian fighter, trained out of Eagles MMA, is known for his elite grappling, averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes, and has a striking accuracy of 58 percent — among the highest in the sport.
Topuria, meanwhile, ranks second in the lightweight division and first pound-for-pound despite competing one weight class below Makhachev. The 29-year-old Spaniard carries a 17-1 record and is one of the most active strikers in the promotion, landing 4.81 significant strikes per minute. A cross-divisional clash between two of the sport's elite would carry enormous implications regardless of which weight class it was contested at.
Why it matters
- Makhachev allegedly declining two separate offers raises questions about his future competitive direction as welterweight champion
- A potential Makhachev vs. Topuria super-fight would pit the top two pound-for-pound fighters against each other
- Garry's public callout, if unresolved, could force the UFC to pursue alternative title challengers at welterweight
- All claims originate solely from Garry and remain unverified by the UFC or any opposing party
