Ian Machado Garry is not happy. The Irish welterweight contender thought he’d be the one fighting for the UFC title next. Instead, he’s watching from the sidelines as Jack Della Maddalena gets the shot at champ Belal Muhammad. Garry’s speaking out loud and clear about how unfair he thinks this is, and he’s ready to prove he’s still the man to beat.
Anger Boiling Over the Title Shot Decision
Garry didn’t hold back when he learned the UFC picked Della Maddalena for the title fight at UFC 315 on May 10, 2025.
“I had a chat with my agent. I rang him when I heard, when they told me this news, and I was livid. Still am to this day,” Garry said on his Instagram.
He’s upset because he fought Shavkat Rakhmonov in a No. 1 contender match at UFC 310 in December 2024. That fight was supposed to set up the next title challenger.
“I had a No. 1 contender’s fight where the guy now has to get knee reconstruction and is out for a year! But you know, it’s not my fault. I didn’t stab his knee 20-something times and boot the leg off. I’m not fighting for a world title, because I’m coming off a loss, and they’re giving it to a guy who’s been injured for a year and they think that’s more exciting, but they’re wrong,” he added.
He’s still fuming over the decision.
Why Della Maddalena Got the Nod
The UFC had other plans for Muhammad’s first title defense that fell apart.
“The world title fight was meant to be Shavkat Rakhmonov taking on Belal Muhammad for the world title, but Shavkat, apparently, is out injured. I wonder how that happened [showed that Garry attacking Rakhmonov’s knee]. Now they’re pulling in a guy who hasn’t fought in a year because he’s had an operation on his forearm because he broke it in his last fight, hasn’t fought in a long time, hasn’t been active. So they’re giving it to Jack Della Maddalena to fight Belal Muhammad because I’m coming off a loss. That’s OK. I’ll get you all. You’re all mine,” Garry said.
Rakhmonov’s knee injury, which Garry takes some credit for, knocked him out of the picture. Della Maddalena hasn’t fought since knocking out Gilbert Burns at UFC 299 in March 2024, sidelined by a forearm injury that needed surgery. Garry thinks picking someone inactive over him is a mistake.
Garry knows he didn’t beat Rakhmonov, but he believes it was tight.
“Do I think I won the fight against Shavkat? No. I believe on that night and to this day that Shavkat won three rounds and I won two,” Garry said.
He’s replaying that fight in his head.
“But I was very close to winning that fight. … In my mind, I was a takedown away from winning that fight, and I would love to run it back one day, and I would love to avenge that loss. And I’m excited because I believe that guy is going to hold the belt one day. We said it. We both knew, and I said it that fight week, I believe me and Shavkat are going to meet each other far more than once in our careers,” he added.
That loss drives him, and he’s eager for a rematch down the road.
Ready to Fight Anyone, Anytime
Garry’s already looking ahead to his next chance.
“I would like to fight International Fight Week, June 28,” Garry said.
He’s not picky about opponents.
“I don’t care who. I don’t care who they want to put in front of me. I just want to fight and prove that I’m the best in the world,” he declared.
He’s set on showing the UFC and fans he’s still a top contender, no matter who’s holding the belt.
Muhammad faces Della Maddalena in Montreal at UFC 315. Garry’s gunning for a return on June 28 during International Fight Week. Rakhmonov’s out until late 2025 at the earliest because of his knee. Garry’s sitting at No. 7 in the rankings with a 15-1 record, while Della Maddalena’s at No. 4. Muhammad won the title in July 2024 against Leon Edwards. Garry’s promising to climb back up. He’s not letting this snub derail him, and fans can expect fireworks when he steps back into the octagon.
h/t MMAFighting
