Ian Machado Garry delivered one of the most significant victories of his career at UFC Qatar, defeating former welterweight champion Belal Muhammad via unanimous decision. In a tactical and disciplined performance, Garry showcased exceptional takedown defense and clinical striking, positioning himself as a legitimate threat in the title picture and directly calling out current champion Islam Makhachev.
Judges scored the bout 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28 for Garry, who controlled the pace of the fight and neutralized Muhammad’s grappling-based offense. Known for his durability and relentless pressure, Muhammad was unable to drag Garry to the mat despite numerous attempts, making this one of the most frustrating stylistic matchups of his career.
Garry opened the fight by establishing distance with sharp jabs and quick leg kicks, preventing Muhammad from closing the gap effectively. An early eye poke caused a brief pause in the action, but Garry remained unfazed and quickly regained composure. His timing, accuracy, and lateral movement made it difficult for Muhammad to initiate prolonged exchanges or level changes.
Tactically, Garry executed a disciplined defensive plan while continuously threatening with striking combinations. Muhammad landed several clean right hands throughout the fight, particularly in the first and third rounds, but Garry responded each time with smarter positioning, crisp counters, and precision kicks that momentarily knocked Muhammad off balance.
By the final round, Muhammad’s urgency increased as he pressed forward with more aggression. Garry, however, remained composed, landing a well-timed head kick and using the clinch to disrupt Muhammad’s rhythm. Even in close-range engagements, Garry showed confidence, throwing elbows and short punches to break free and regain striking distance.
Following the final horn, Garry wasted no time positioning himself for the next title shot. With Islam Makhachev now holding the welterweight title after his historic win at UFC 322, Garry believes the time is right for a champion-versus-champion clash.
“I just beat the No. 1 ranked welterweight on the planet. Belal could not take me down. Islam, you try to take me down. Sign the contract and I will see you soon,” Garry declared.
It was a confident statement that reflected both his self-belief and his conviction in his evolving skillset. With two consecutive high-profile wins, Garry now stands as one of the most compelling contenders in the division. While his performance did not come with a finish, it came with something more valuable, legitimacy.
A matchup with Makhachev would present a compelling stylistic clash, and after his performance in Qatar, Ian Machado Garry may now be one big step closer to championship gold.
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