UFC Champion Islam Makhachev Returns Fire At Impatient Ian Garry

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 15: Islam Makhachev of Russia reacts to his win over Jack Della Maddalena of Australia in the UFC welterweight championship fight during the UFC 322 event at Madison Square Garden on November 15, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

Islam Makhachev is ready to make his return to the Octagon and Ian Machado Garry appears to be in the running for his first title defense.

Makhachev, who captured the UFC welterweight title off Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322 last November, has been sitting on the sidelines for the past six months. Due in part to an apparent hand injury and his usual time off for Ramadan, the pound-for-pound king hasn’t had the opportunity to defend his 170-pound belt for the first time.

During Makhachev’s absence, some of the division’s biggest names have been taking shots at the champ. This includes No. 2-ranked contender, Garry, who has been angling for his first UFC title shot for quite some time. Even if UFC’s higher ups don’t consider Garry a bonafide star the Irish contender still feels ready to face Makhachev for UFC gold.

Earlier this week, Garry took to social media to question the validity of Makhachev’s recent injury and the timeline surrounding his impending Octagon return. Garry claims that he’s been ready to fight for the past year, but that everyone is waiting on Makhachev. Check it out below:

“First you say you have a hand injury, Dana said August, you’re saying July — I’ve been ready since you last turned me down in May,” wrote Garry. “We’re all waiting on you princess.”