UFC Welterweight Champion Islam Makhachev has responded to the growing list of challengers, including Ian Machado Garry, by sending a clear warning to Shavkat Rakhmonov: contenders must stay active to earn a title shot.Â
Makhachev, who recently captured the welterweight title from Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322 to become a two-division champion, has several possible fights. Machado Garry defeated Belal Muhammad at UFC Qatar and then called him out. Elsewhere, Makhachev pushed back against the possibility of fighting Rakhmonov next, who has been sidelined since late 2024.
Rakhmonov’s unanimous decision victory over Garry was originally supposed to crown the next No. 1 contender for the welterweight title, but a knee injury forced him out of the title fight against the then-champion Muhammad. Jack Della Maddalena ultimately stepped in and claimed the belt, only to lose it to Makhachev. Makhachev believes the inactivity is a major strike against Rakhmonov.Â
“Yeah, that will be interesting. He’s [Garry] also a good fighter. He’s on a good winning streak and he’s young. I think it’ll be interesting. We’ll see. He didn’t surprise me yesterday. If he surprised the UFC, then maybe he will be next. [Shavkat] hasn’t fought for over a year. A contender can’t sit out for a year with injuries and then come fight for the belt. We said hello, he congratulated me. We just shook hands. If he recovers, and the UFC decides he’s next, why not?,” Makhachev saidÂ