Ian Machado Garry has revealed to the UFC that embracing a short-term fight with Carlos Prates is contingent.
He played his part in the decision victory for the prize at UFC Kansas City. And now Garry is set to be heavy as a backup for Saturday’s main event between Beral Muhammad and Jacques Della Madarena. He’s very confident that the UFC will follow his promise to give him a title shot afterwards, but there’s one scenario where Garry will admit he has to come aside.
“(If) Jack wins, Islam (Makachev) stands up and everyone wants to take the back seat,” Garry told UFC 315 Media Day on Wednesday. “You are 1 pound in the world, you deserve that ranking, you deserve that status.
“If you want to stand up and fight for that belt, that’s the respect that a man deserves, everyone will sit down and make you do that.”
As the lightweight UFC champion, Islam Makachev often spoke about pursuing a second title, but he made it clear that he will never fight Muhammad, his friend and frequent training partner. Mahachev coach Khabib Nurmagomedov doubled it when he emphasized that he would not pursue a welterweight title as long as Muhammad is the champion.
Of course, if Della Maddalena wins on Saturday, everything will change.
Garry admits he’ll be aside for Makhachev given the circumstances needed to move to 170 pounds, but the 27-year-old Irish fighter doesn’t expect the scenario to happen.
“I think Beral won this weekend. If Beral wins this weekend, there’s no bigger battle than me and Beral. I’d like to do that in his backyard,” Garry said. “I want to do it in Chicago. I want to sell out. I want to be someone who does it, and take his belt in his hometown.”
Rumors are swirling that the UFC will return to Chicago in the near future, but it is unclear whether Muhammad will be available until it passes through Della Madrena in UFC 315.
Regardless of his condition, Garry believes Muhammad is an idiot to miss a fight in his hometown, so it sets the stage perfectly for another welterweight title fight.
“For him, I think it’s ridiculous to not want to fight in his hometown and protect his belt in his hometown soil,” Garry said. “No matter who’s in front of him.”
As much as he wants to take the title from him, Garry has many admiration for the long path he traveled to become the champion and the ultimate. There is no real bad blood between them. Garry promises to ensure that if the UFC booked a fight, they will take all promotions from Muhammad’s shoulder.
“Beral is a world champion and from everything I saw from him, obviously I don’t personally know that guy deep (level) but he seems like a good person,” Garry said. “It looks like he’s turning his heart on, but not some bullshit mentioned as stupid.
“For him, I think fighting me next is a wise move because I’m trying to do all the heavy lifts when it comes to selling cards. When it comes to doing shows, I’m going to do all the heavy lifts. I’m going to do all the heavy lifts. I’m going to make all the noise.