The co-main event at the Ali Bin Hamad Al-Attiyah Arena in Doha featured the final leg of the UFC’s unofficial welterweight Grand Prix, as Ian Machado Garry (17-1 MMA, 10-1 UFC) and Belal Muhammad (24-5 MMA, 15-5 UFC) went head-to-head in a bid to secure the first shot at Islam Makhachev’s (28-1 MMA, 17-1 UFC) welterweight title.
Coming just seven days after Makhachev’s championship win over Jack Della Maddalena (18-3 MMA, 8-1 UFC) at UFC 322, Machado Garry strengthened his claim to a title opportunity by outpointing Muhammad over three rounds in Qatar.
With both Carlos Prates (23-7 MMA, 6-1 UFC) and Michael Morales (19-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) scoring impressive knockouts at UFC 322, the UFC matchmakers now face a dilemma in determining what comes next at 170 pounds. With that in mind, let’s take a guess at what Dana White, Mick Maynard, and company might look to do with the growing swarm of contenders in the welterweight title picture.
Islam Makhachev vs. Kamaru Usman
What the UFC should do and what they are most likely to do are two very different things. If Islam Makhachev’s next challenger were selected strictly on merit, the undefeated Shavkat Rakhmonov (19-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) would be the clear and undeniable frontrunner.
However, rumblings of a potential matchup between the current pound-for-pound No. 1 and his predecessor, Kamaru Usman (21-4 MMA, 6-3 UFC), at the UFC’s 2026 White House gala event continue to surface. With both fighters represented by the same manager, both expressing interest in the matchup, and Dana White recently praising Usman’s career during an appearance on his podcast, an uneasy feeling is growing that “The Nigerian Nightmare” may leapfrog the entire division.
While Usman’s legacy as a former champion is unquestioned, his only win since 2021 came earlier this year when he outpointed 10th-ranked Joaquin Buckley to snap a three-fight skid.
If (as now seems very likely) Usman gets the nod to face Makhachev next, a long line of contenders will have every reason to feel aggrieved.
Ian Machado Garry vs. Michael Morales
Ian Machado Garry did himself no favors in the lead-up to Saturday’s win over Belal Muhammad. By promising to knock out an opponent who hasn’t been finished in nine years, “The Future” set expectations at a level that made anything less feel underwhelming.
In reality, his decision victory was an impressive tactical and technical performance. Combined with his willingness to accept short-notice fights against two of the division’s most dangerous contenders (Shavkat Rakhmonov and Carlos Prates) the Irishman can make a strong case that he’s built the best résumé at 170 pounds.
Despite delivering an excellent post-fight promo in the Octagon, Machado Garry may still find himself on the outside looking in if the UFC ultimately chooses Kamaru Usman as Islam Makhachev’s next opponent. If that happens, he could end up in the same position Sean Brady found himself in at UFC 322: standing across from the welterweight division’s most dangerous young contender instead of competing for a title.
let’s take a guess at what Dana White, Mick Maynard, and company might look to do with the growing swarm of contenders in the welterweight title picture.
Michael Morales has been nothing short of sensational during his rise up the rankings. While he, too, has a legitimate shot at a title opportunity, a win over a major name like Machado Garry would make his case impossible to ignore.
Shavkat Rakhmonov vs. Carlos Prates
Shavkat Rakhmonov remains the division’s boogeyman, even though he hasn’t competed since suffering a knee injury during his win over Ian Machado Garry at UFC 310 a year ago. There’s ongoing speculation that “Nomad” could return to the Octagon in early 2026. And while Kamaru Usman’s looming presence may prevent him from getting the title shot he deserves, the Kazakh contender could likely benefit from another fight to regain peak form after such a long layoff.
Carlos Prates continues to be one of the most electrifying fighters at welterweight, having earned a knockout and a Performance bonus in all six of his UFC victories so far. His loss to Ian Machado Garry earlier this year likely puts him behind the Irishman in the title conversation, but his recent knockout of Leon Edwards at Madison Square Garden ensures he remains firmly in line for a major fight.
