Ian Machado Garry already knows exactly who he wants to face next.
The Irish welterweight contender is targeting a matchup with fellow UFC contender Michael Morales as he looks to work his way back into the title picture following his recent loss to Islam Makhachev.
Garry suffered a unanimous-decision defeat to Makhachev in the main event at UFC, ending his latest run toward the welterweight championship. Despite the setback, “The Future” believes a victory over Morales could immediately put him back in position for another title opportunity.
Speaking to Eze Obasi at the weigh-ins ahead of Katie Taylor’s final fight in Dublin this past weekend, Garry made it clear that Morales is the matchup he wants.
“For me, there's only one fight that makes sense right now, and that's Michael Morales,” Garry said.
The matchup would also give Garry an opportunity to accomplish something no fighter has done before: defeat Morales. The undefeated contender has established himself as one of the division’s most dangerous prospects, making a win over him a significant statement.
Garry believes that becoming the first man to beat Morales would make his case for another title shot impossible to ignore, particularly with Makhachev potentially facing Carlos Prates next. Garry already holds a win over Prates, which could further strengthen his argument for another championship opportunity.
“When I beat him, I'm right (there), I'm the only one who deserves a title shot,” Garry said.
The Irishman acknowledged that his recent fight with Makhachev could make an immediate rematch unlikely, regardless of the outcome of Makhachev’s next bout.
“Even though me and Islam have just fought, whether Islam wins, whether Carlos Prates wins the next fight, it's two massive rematches,” Garry said.
Instead, Garry sees a victory over Morales as the clearest route back to the top of the division.
“So, I go out there and I finish Michael Morales and get my hand raised, it's undeniable that I'm right back up there for a title shot,” Garry said. “So that's what I think needs to be next.”
For Garry, the message is straightforward: beat Morales, become the first fighter to stop his unbeaten run and force the UFC to put him back into the championship conversation.
