Islam Makhachev says the hold-up isn’t on his facet. After Ian Machado Garry fired off a pointed message accusing the champion of fixing his story on a potential return date, Makhachev answered with a brief reply that framed him as able to battle at any time when the UFC sends paperwork.
Islam Makhachev Says UFC Maintain-Up Is the Contract After Ian Machado Garry Callout
On social media, he wrote, “Don’t fear about my accidents. I’m prepared at any time. I’m ready for the contract.” That response got here after Garry posted that Makhachev had cited a hand harm, that Dana White had talked about August, and that Makhachev himself was now hinting at July, earlier than including, “We’re all ready on you princess.”
Garry’s frustration is tied to his push for a primary UFC title shot. The Irish welterweight is coming off a latest wins over Carlos Prates and Belal Muhammad, with UFC protection getting into 2026 listed him among the many clear tier of contenders ready behind the brand new champion at 170 kilos together with Michael Morales.
The confusion begins with Makhachev’s well being and availability. In March, Dana White mentioned Makhachev had “some hand points” and added that he didn’t understand how critical they have been or how lengthy they’d preserve him out. Later reporting mentioned White publicly rejected discuss of a July return and as an alternative pointed to August, creating a spot between the champion’s personal hints and the promotion’s public stance. That’s the hole Garry attacked in his put up.
What comes subsequent continues to be unsettled. The UFC has already framed the welterweight title image as open, with a number of contenders within the combine and Makhachev himself mentioned to have choices for a primary protection. Studies across the harm have additionally talked about different potential names, together with Kamaru Usman and Michael Morales, which suggests Garry isn’t the one candidate being mentioned.
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Islam Makhachev is the present UFC welterweight champion and a former light-weight champion. The Dagestani fighter received the light-weight belt in 2022 by submitting Charles Oliveira, defended that title 4 occasions, then moved up and beat Jack Della Maddalena by unanimous choice at UFC 322 in November 2025 to assert the welterweight title. UFC data and profiles listing him among the many sport’s prime pound-for-pound names.
Nonetheless, Garry has completed what contenders are imagined to do: win, keep seen, and drive the dialog. Makhachev’s reply didn’t affirm him as the following challenger, but it surely did transfer the main focus away from the harm and again onto the contract.
