Garry Dismisses Usman’s Bid for a Championship Fight
Ian Machado Garry explains why he believes Kamaru Usman has not earned a shot at the UFC welterweight title. Usman has promoted his desire for a championship fight for weeks and made his stance clear even before Islam Makhachev won at UFC 322. He feels confident again after defeating Joaquin Buckley. That victory ended his run of three straight losses. Garry, meanwhile, prepares for Belal Muhammad at UFC Qatar, convinced that a win could put his own name into title discussions.
Garry Challenges Usman’s Ranking and Relevance
At a recent media day, Garry details why Makhachev should not defend his belt against Usman. He asks why the champion should face a fighter who performed at a high level in the past but no longer dominates. He notes that Usman currently sits around eighth or ninth in the rankings. He also points out that Usman’s last opponent carried several UFC defeats. Garry argues that Makhachev needs young and rising contenders instead. He describes Usman as an athlete with worn-down knees and limited danger.
Garry Calls for Fresh and Ambitious Challengers
Garry claims Makhachev might prefer Usman because the matchup offers an easy win. He sees it as a simple first title defense at welterweight. He highlights four top contenders: Shavkat Rakhmonov, Carlos Prates, Michael Morales, and himself. He says they stand out with reach, power, height, and youthful energy. He believes they bring more risk than a former champion. For him, choosing Usman means avoiding the real threats. Garry demands challengers who still chase their first belt and fight with full ambition.
