Ian Machado Garry Calls Out Michael Morales for Title Shot

Ian Machado Garry wants Michael Morales next, calling it the only welterweight fight that makes sense for him after his UFC 330 title loss to Islam Makhachev.

Garry told Eze Talks Sports he views a matchup with the unbeaten Morales as his clearest path back to a championship opportunity. "For me, there's only one fight that makes sense right now and that's Michael Morales," Garry said. "When I beat him, I'm the only one who deserves a title shot, even though me and Islam have just fought."

Why Garry Wants Morales Specifically

Garry is building a case that beating Morales is the fastest route back to gold, even coming off a loss. He pointed to the traffic jam atop the division, with a possible Makhachev rematch and a Carlos Prates rematch both looming as "two massive rematches." Garry's logic: if he finishes Morales while those two are tied up running it back, he's the obvious next man up. "So I go out there and I finish Michael Morales, get my hand raised, it's undeniable that I'm right back up there for the title shot," he said.

Morales has plenty of his own momentum to make the fight matter. He improved to 19-0, 7-0 in the UFC, with a first-round knockout of Sean Brady this past November and has not fought since. He was reportedly in the mix for a shot at Makhachev himself. Garry doesn't hide his respect for the challenge Morales presents. "He's long, he's tall, he's confident, and he should be," Garry said. "Two of the best strikers on the planet, two of the best fighters on the planet going head to head."

How Garry Sees His Loss to Makhachev

Garry came away from UFC 330 believing the fight was closer than the scorecards suggested, even though he dropped a clear decision. "I scored the fight 3-2 to him," Garry said. "I felt like I did everything well, and where I did everything well, so did he." He added that he was more effective on the feet and had stopped much of Makhachev's grappling before Makhachev closed the show on the ground in the final round. The performance drew a mixed reaction, including criticism from UFC CEO Dana White over Garry hugging Makhachev during exchanges, but Garry said he's already moved into regroup mode with his team.

Betting Angle

A Garry-Morales fight would sit near the top of the welterweight betting card the moment it's booked, pitting an ex-title challenger with only two losses on his ledger, to Makhachev and to Shavkat Rakhmonov, against a 19-0 knockout artist who has yet to face this level of resistance. Morales enters that conversation with the unbeaten record and finishing power bettors gravitate toward, while Garry brings recent five-round championship experience Morales still lacks. Until the UFC makes it official, sportsbooks have nothing to price, but expect this to open as one of the tighter lines in the division given the styles and stakes involved.

Neither man has a fight officially booked as of now.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who does Ian Machado Garry want to fight next?

Ian Machado Garry has called out unbeaten welterweight contender Michael Morales, saying it's the only fight that makes sense for him after his UFC 330 title loss to Islam Makhachev.

What is Michael Morales' UFC record?

Michael Morales is 19-0 overall and 7-0 in the UFC, with his most recent win a first-round knockout of Sean Brady this past November.

Did Ian Machado Garry beat Islam Makhachev at UFC 330?

No, Ian Machado Garry lost a unanimous decision to Islam Makhachev at UFC 330, though he says he scored the fight closer and was more effective on the feet before Makhachev finished strong on the ground.