Islam Makhachev has thrown a curveball into the welterweight title picture, suggesting his first title defense might not be against the fighter most fans expected.
For weeks, the consensus among the MMA community was that Makhachev would face rising Irish star Ian Machado Garry in his debut at 170 pounds. The matchup seemed like a natural fit—a dominant lightweight champion stepping up to challenge a surging contender. But according to the Dagestani champion himself, nothing is set in stone.
"The UFC hasn't informed me about it yet, but there's been a lot of rumors about me fighting Ian Garry next. Yet I haven't talked with any officials about this fight," Makhachev revealed in a recent interview with Red Corner MMA.
The welterweight division is currently stacked with hungry contenders, and Makhachev acknowledges that several fighters are in the mix. "I've got 3-4 more possible matchups. Kamaru Usman is also up there, Ian Garry, Morales, Prates. They're all expecting a title shot," he said.
Among those names, one fighter has particularly caught the champion's attention: Carlos Prates. The Brazilian has been on a tear recently, most notably dismantling Jack Della Maddalena in dominant fashion last weekend. That victory has sent his stock soaring through the welterweight rankings.
"Well, I think Prates has got the hype now. He's talked about much more now. So I think a fight with him would be the most interesting," Makhachev commented, hinting that the Brazilian's momentum could make for a compelling title bout.
The latest official rankings reflect this shifting landscape. Prates has climbed to the number two spot, while Ian Garry currently holds the number one contender position. Kamaru Usman, a former champion with a proven track record, remains a wildcard in the conversation.
With Makhachev already in training camp but still awaiting official word from the promotion, the welterweight title picture has never been more intriguing. Whether it's Garry, Prates, Usman, or another challenger, one thing is clear: the champion is ready for whoever steps up next.