Ian Machado Garry’s previous comments about Yaroslav Amosov have resurfaced following the announcement of their upcoming welterweight clash at UFC Saudi Arabia on December 5.
The UFC confirmed during Saturday’s UFC Vegas 124 broadcast that Garry will take on former Bellator standout Amosov in the co-main event. However, old footage has emerged of the Irishman being asked about Amosov when the Ukrainian made his move to the UFC last year.
Speaking after his win over Belal Muhammad at UFC Qatar in November 2025, Garry was asked about Bellator fighters making the transition to the UFC and how they would compare to the promotion’s elite.
“You guys had Bellator, right? Yeah, how did that go when they came into the UFC? The greatest fighter in the world is the guy who holds the UFC belt,” Garry said.
Garry then questioned how the former Bellator titleholder would fare against some of the division’s biggest names, making it clear that he believed the promotion’s top fighters operated at a different level.
“The welterweight champion? Whoever he is, I don’t mean any disrespect to this man [but] him versus Islam Makhachev gets smashed. I don’t know who he is. Him versus me, gets smashed. Him versus Carlos Prates, unconscious. Him versus Mike Morales, TKO. Him versus anybody in this division at the top of this sport, it is a different, different division.
“And you are talking about the greatest division in UFC history right now. The welterweight division right now, my friend, is the best in this sport. There is no conversation about it. So this guy, whoever he is, I feel sorry for him.”
With Garry now booked to face Amosov, those comments have added an extra layer of intrigue to their December 5 matchup.
Amosov built an impressive reputation during his time with Bellator, establishing himself as one of the best welterweights outside the UFC before making the move to the world's leading MMA promotion.
Garry will now have the opportunity to prove his words inside the Octagon when the two meet in Saudi Arabia. The matchup represents a major opportunity for Amosov to make a statement in the UFC, while Garry will look to continue his pursuit of the welterweight title.
