Morning Report | Islam Makhachev ranks the top welterweight contenders, believes Ian Machado Garry will be champ when he’s done

Islam Makhachev has ranked the top welterweight contenders and offered his assessment of the division's future following his narrow decision victory over Ian Machado Garry at UFC 300 in August. The fight marked Makhachev's 17th consecutive UFC win, breaking Anderson Silva's previous record, though the champion acknowledged that Garry pushed him to the limit across five rounds.

When evaluating his next potential challengers, Makhachev placed Carlos Prates, Michael Morales, and Shavkat Rakhmonov on equal footing. He praised each fighter's distinct skill set—Prates for striking power, Morales for size and wrestling prowess, and Rakhmonov for his all-around technical ability. However, Makhachev was dismissive of former Bellator champion Yaroslav Amosov, citing a loss to an opponent who neutralized his wrestling as evidence that Amosov is not a serious threat at welterweight.

Surprisingly, Makhachev identified Garry as the division's most dangerous fighter, despite their competitive bout. The champion predicted that "The Future" will capture the welterweight title once he moves on from the sport, suggesting Garry's youth and continued development make him a long-term threat. Garry, meanwhile, is already positioning himself for his next opportunity, reportedly eyeing a matchup with Morales.

Makhachev has indicated he wants to defend his title again before Ramadan begins in February, with Prates emerging as the likely next challenger. The champion's stated goal remains reaching 20 consecutive victories before eventually stepping away from competition.