Full Breakdown
Ian Machado Garry Names Carlos Prates as His Preferred Next Welterweight Challenger Ahead of UFC 330
8/16/2026, 11:25:08 AM
Core Event: Garry’s Title-Shot Declaration
At the UFC 330 media day in Philadelphia, Irish welterweight champion Ian Machado Garry announced that, should he defeat Islam Makhachev for the 170-pound belt, Brazilian striker Carlos Prates will be his next opponent.
Background & Context: Recent Welterweight Landscape
Garry entered UFC 330 after a unanimous-decision win over Prates in Kansas City in April 2025, a fight he took on three weeks’ notice following a close decision loss to Shavkat Rakhmonov in 2024. Prates, meanwhile, has compiled a three-fight winning streak with knockout victories over former champions Leon Edwards (UFC 322) and Jack Della Maddalena (UFC Fight Night 275), plus a last-second stoppage of Geoff Neal at UFC 319. The division’s pecking order has been unsettled, with several fighters awaiting a clear path to a title shot.
Data & Statistics: Prates’ Recent Finishes and Garry’s Record
- Carlos Prates – 7-1 UFC record, three consecutive finishes (KO/TKO) over Geoff Neal, Leon Edwards, Jack Della Maddalena.
- Ian Machado Garry – 17-1 overall record, 15-1 in the UFC, recent wins include a decision over Prates and a decision over Belal Muhammad.
- Both fighters have demonstrated the ability to finish opponents who had never been stopped before, a point Garry highlighted in his remarks.
Official Statements & Responses: Garry’s Comments on Prates, a Potential Rematch, and Rakhmonov
Garry framed his stance as a merit-based assessment, stating that no other welterweight “has earned it” and that Prates’ recent “insane fashion” finishes make him the clear next challenger. He argued that a longer preparation window—three to four months—would only increase the disparity, noting his own dominant performance on short notice. Regarding a possible rematch with Makhachev, Garry said the focus should be on winning the first encounter; a second fight would only be warranted if the bout turned into a “back-and-forth war” similar to Makhachev’s recent fight with Alexander Volkanovski.
Garry also addressed the status of Shavkat Rakhmonov, expressing sympathy for the fighter’s personal hardships and wishing him a full recovery. He reiterated that when Rakhmonov returns, Garry expects to be his opponent, underscoring his confidence in the division’s hierarchy.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I whooped his ass for 24 minutes, and I did it on three weeks' notice,” — Ian Machado Garry
- “Listen, I called him last week, we chatted about it but there is only one,” — Ian Machado Garry
- “I think let’s focus on beating him once and then we can focus on beating twice,” — Ian Machado Garry
- “Prates is coming off two fights against two guys that have never been finished and he did it in insane fashion,” — Ian Machado Garry
What’s Next: UFC 330 Title Fight and Future Challenger Path
UFC 330 is scheduled for Saturday night at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, with the main card airing on pay-per-view at 10 p.m. ET. Garry will face Islam Makhachev for the welterweight championship. If Garry secures the belt, his stated intention is to schedule a title defense against Carlos Prates, provided Prates remains the division’s top contender. No official opponent has been confirmed beyond that declaration, and the UFC has not announced a formal challenger lineup.
