Speculation is intensifying around who will be the first fighter to challenge Islam Makhachev for the UFC welterweight championship, and two names have risen to the forefront: Ian Machado Garry and Michael Morales.
Makhachev (28-1 MMA, 17-1 UFC) captured the 170-pound title in emphatic fashion at UFC 322 in November, defeating Jack Della Maddalena in his divisional debut after a dominant run at lightweight. With the belt now secured in a second weight class, attention has quickly shifted to his first title defense and the contenders lining up behind him.
Machado Garry (17-1 MMA, 10-1 UFC) appears to be the leading candidate. The Irishman rebounded strongly in 2025 after suffering the first loss of his professional career to Shavkat Rakhmonov late in 2024. He responded with back-to-back victories over Carlos Prates and former champion Belal Muhammad, reestablishing himself as a top contender in the division.
Morales (19-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC), however, has made a compelling case of his own. The undefeated Ecuadorian delivered the biggest win of his career at UFC 322, defeating Sean Brady in a breakout performance at Madison Square Garden, the same night Makhachev claimed the title.
UFC play-by-play commentator Jon Anik weighed in on the developing title picture during a recent interview with MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn, acknowledging the uncertainty behind the promotion’s decision-making process.
“Sometimes I just throw my hands up and wonder what exactly is the internal promotional metric or the driving force that would give Ian Machado Garry this title shot as opposed to say Michael Morales?” Anik said. “Is it a match-up thing? Do they maybe make more money if one guy’s the champion? I don’t exactly know.”
Despite Morales’ undefeated record and his high-profile win over Brady, Anik suggested that Machado Garry’s overall résumé may give him the edge.
“I think, straight meritocracy, based on the body of work, despite the Ecuadorian Morales’ undefeated record and the wildly sensational win over Sean Brady, I think, based upon the body of work for Machado Garry, his willingness to step up all the time… I just feel like Makhachev versus Machado Garry is the fight,” Anik said.
He also pointed to the stylistic intrigue of that potential matchup while maintaining that Morales remains a future title challenger.
“I think it’s a fascinating stylistic matchup as well,” Anik added. “I think Morales eventually is going to get there. Looks like an absolute world beater… but I think Machado Garry is going to be the guy and I think he’s the most deserved.”
