UFC welterweight Ian Machado Garry (16-0) took aim at the welterweight champ Islam Makhachev, accusing him of playing “social media games” instead of defending his belt against legitimate 170-lb challengers.
The friction follows a spat between Makhachev and lightweight champ Ilia Topuria regarding why their rumored fight for UFC Freedom 250 at the White House (June 14) failed to materialize. Topuria claimed Makhachev used a hand injury as a convenient “out.”
Makhachev fired back, accusing Topuria’s management of wanting too much money. Garry, who has been campaigning for a title shot, was quick to criticize Makhachev. Garry echoed Topuria’s skepticism, suggesting that if Makhachev has enough energy to write on Instagram, he has enough energy to sign a contract.
“So your hand is fine then? No more excuses see you [in] August,” Garry said