Just a week after claiming the welterweight title, Islam Makhachev already faces threats from within the division. UFC Qatar delivered an electrifying fight night, with former welterweight champion Belal Muhammad and Ian Garry putting on a spectacular show as the co-main event. Over three intense rounds, both fighters left everything in the Octagon, thrilling the fans and making the promotion’s debut at ‘The Pearl of the Gulf’ truly unforgettable.

Muhammad showcased noticeably improved striking, while ‘The Future’, on the other hand, came ready with sharper offense, stronger defense, and punishing low kicks. The bout even included some eye-poke moments, but both men navigated the challenges admirably. In the end, after a grueling three rounds, Ian Garry emerged victorious over Belal Muhammad, with the judges’ scorecards reading 30-27, 29-28, and 29-28.

This win, therefore, firmly positions Garry on a path toward the top 5 of the welterweight division. Looking ahead, Ian Garry is already targeting the reigning welterweight champion, Islam Makhachev, and he didn’t hold back, issuing a bold callout in front of his former rival Shavkat Rakhmonov. “Belal couldn’t take me down, Islam you try to take me down. I’m taking that throne from you, and I’m ending that continuous streak. You’re DONE,” Garry said in a post-fight interview with Michael Bisping, sending a direct warning to Makhachev.

(More to come… )