Ian Machado Garry's Harsh Warning
Ian Machado Garry has sent a stern warning to Carlos Prates ahead of a potential rematch for the welterweight title.
Machado Garry (17-1 MMA, 10-1 UFC) is set to face Islam Makhachev (28-1 MMA, 17-1 UFC) in the main event of UFC 330 on Saturday, but he sees Prates (24-7 MMA, 7-1 UFC) as the most deserving No. 1 contender if he can dethrone Makhachev.
Machado Garry is confident in his ability to beat Prates, pointing to their previous fight at UFC on ESPN 66 in April 2025, where he won by unanimous decision despite Prates' late surge. "Carlos Prates has earned it," Machado Garry said at a pre-fight news conference. "Nobody else in the entire division has earned it. They all need to fight at least one more fight."
Prates has been on a roll since his loss to Machado Garry, with three-straight stoppages of Geoff Neal, Leon Edwards, and Jack Della Maddalena at UFC Fight Night 275 in May.
The question on everyone's mind is whether Prates has done enough to warrant a title shot. Machado Garry seems to think so, but it remains to be seen if the UFC will agree.
The UFC has not yet announced its plans for the welterweight title picture, but it's clear that Prates is in the mix. With Machado Garry set to face Makhachev on Saturday, Prates will be watching closely to see what happens next.
A win for Machado Garry would likely secure his title reign, but a loss could open the door for Prates to make a case for a title shot. The outcome of the fight will have major implications for the welterweight division, and fans are eagerly awaiting the result.
The wait won't be much longer, as UFC 330 takes place on Saturday. The question is, what will happen next in the welterweight title picture?
Source: Yahoo Sports