‘If I fight him right now, I beat him’: Ian Machado Garry on loss to Islam Makhachev, when he wants to return

Ian Machado Garry is refusing to let his UFC 330 title loss to Islam Makhachev define his career trajectory, projecting confidence that he would defeat the champion in an immediate rematch. Machado Garry dropped a competitive decision to the pound-for-pound elite fighter in August, drawing criticism from UFC CEO Dana White for what some perceived as excessive caution and lack of aggression during the bout.

Despite the setback, Machado Garry expressed pride in his preparation and performance while acknowledging areas for improvement. "The biggest thing I could've done was a bit more volume," he told DAZN, "a bit more me, a bit more kicks, more venom in the shots to the head." He framed his measured approach as the natural byproduct of facing an opponent of Makhachev's caliber: "When you're stood in front of a man who has been able to beat everyone he's stood in front of, it's difficult to maneuver that."

Nonetheless, Machado Garry's self-belief remains unwavering. "I feel like if I fight him right now, I beat him," the 27-year-old declared. "I have so much confidence in myself, so much confidence in my team and the preparation that we do." He emphasized his long-term vision, noting he has a decade ahead to compete at the highest level, beat the best, and prove himself among the planet's elite fighters.

With the welterweight division stacked and the championship picture in flux, Machado Garry is simply waiting for the next call. "As soon as physically possible," he said of his return timeline. "Anyone, anywhere, anytime, go back in there, prove I'm one of the baddest men on the planet. Don't stop."