Coming off his first UFC title loss to Islam Makhachev, Ian Garry wants undefeated contender Michael Morales as his fastest route back to another shot at welterweight gold.
Ian Garry already knows exactly who he wants next.
He wants undefeated contender Michael Morales.
Coming off his first UFC title fight and a unanimous decision loss to welterweight champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 330, Garry isn’t interested in slowly rebuilding his way toward another championship opportunity.
Speaking with DAZN, Garry named Morales as the one opponent he believes can immediately put him back in position for another shot at the welterweight championship.
“For me, there’s only one fight that makes sense right now, and that’s Michael Morales,” Garry said.
And he isn’t simply looking to beat him.
Garry believes finishing Morales would make his claim to another title shot impossible for the UFC to ignore.
“When I beat him, I’m the only one who deserves a title shot, even though me and Islam have just fought.”
Garry Reflects on UFC 330 Loss
Garry entered UFC 330 after consecutive victories over Carlos Prates and former welterweight champion Belal Muhammad, earning his first opportunity to capture UFC gold.
Makhachev ultimately walked away with the unanimous decision, but Garry came out of the fight believing the gap between himself and the champion was much smaller than the result might suggest.
Looking back on the fight, Garry said he personally had Makhachev ahead three rounds to two.
“I think it was 2-2 going into the final round, and he managed to finish the round on my back,” Garry said. “Therefore, he has to win the fight.”
Despite accepting the result, the Irish contender was encouraged by how he performed against one of MMA’s most accomplished grapplers.
Garry felt he was the more dangerous fighter on the feet while also showing that he could defend much of Makhachev’s wrestling and grappling attack.
“I felt like I did everything well,” Garry said. “And where I did everything well, so did he. It was such a high-level fight, such an elite-level fight.”
Rather than viewing UFC 330 as evidence that he isn’t ready to become champion, Garry sees it as another stage in his development.
“I’m so young in this sport,” he said. “I have the whole world at my feet. I just got to keep going and keep a positive mindset.”
Why Michael Morales?
Morales represents one of the biggest risks available to Garry — and that’s exactly why he wants him.
The undefeated Ecuadorian has emerged as one of the welterweight division’s fastest-rising contenders, building a 19-0 professional record while adding victories over names including Gilbert Burns, Neil Magny and Jake Matthews.
Most recently, Morales stopped Sean Brady at UFC 322.
Taking on an undefeated contender immediately after challenging for the championship would give Garry little room for error. But from his perspective, that’s also what makes the matchup valuable.
If he can become the first fighter to defeat Morales — and particularly if he can finish him — Garry believes there would be no reasonable argument against putting him back near the front of the championship queue.
“If I go out there and I finish Michael Morales and get my hand raised, it’s undeniable that I’m right back up there for the title shot.”
“That’s what I think needs to be next.”
“Two of the Best Strikers on the Planet”
Garry also sees Morales as an intriguing stylistic matchup.
Both are tall, long welterweights who have built much of their success around their striking, but Morales carries significant finishing power and the confidence that comes with an undefeated record.
“He’s long, he’s tall, he’s confident — and he should be,” Garry said. “I think it’s a phenomenal fight.”
Garry went as far as describing a potential matchup as featuring “two of the best strikers on the planet.”
He isn’t overlooking the danger Morales presents, either.
“It’s a tough matchup. It’s a very dangerous matchup,” Garry said. “A guy who’s got a lot of confidence, a lot of trust in his power.”
But Garry believes his experience against the division’s elite separates him.
“I’ve fought very, very, very good fighters,” he continued. “I’m afraid of no man walking this planet, and I’ll step in the dark with anyone and beat them.”
Garry Has His Eye on Makhachev vs. Prates
There is another reason Garry believes Morales makes sense.
The former title challenger expects Makhachev’s next defense could come against Carlos Prates — a fighter Garry has already defeated.
That would leave Garry in an unusual position.
He has recent history with both potential sides of the championship fight.
If Makhachev retains, a dominant victory over Morales could give Garry an argument for a rematch with the man who just defeated him. If Prates captures the championship, Garry already owns a victory over the Brazilian.
“Whether Islam wins, whether Carlos Prates wins the next fight, it’s two massive rematches,” Garry said.
Interestingly, Garry believes Prates has a legitimate opportunity to dethrone Makhachev.
He described the matchup as dangerous for both fighters and pointed toward Prates’ aggression and knockout power as his clearest route to victory, although he questioned whether the Brazilian could consistently defend Makhachev’s grappling.
“Can Carlos land that one punch to knock him out, or can Islam take him down and finish him? It’s tough,” Garry said.
His prediction ultimately leaned toward the man he has already beaten.
“My heart is telling me that I think Carlos can get it done,” Garry said. “I think Carlos can get it done, and then we run it back again.”
Garry Wants the Fastest Road Back
UFC 330 may have given Garry the first defeat of his championship pursuit, but it hasn’t changed how he sees his place in the welterweight division.
He’s not asking for a tune-up.
He’s calling for a 19-0 contender carrying one of the division’s strongest unbeaten records.
For Morales, defeating a recent title challenger would provide the biggest victory of his career and potentially put him on the doorstep of his own championship opportunity.
For Garry, the equation is even simpler.
Beat Morales, preferably finish him, and force the UFC to put his name back into the championship conversation.
Whether that eventually means another fight with Makhachev or a rematch with Prates doesn’t appear to matter much to Garry.
First, he wants Michael Morales.
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