Ian Machado Garry believes Islam Makhachev is just making up excuses so that he can stay inactive.
During the building of the UFC White House event, the promotion attempted to put together a fight between Islam Makhachev and Ilia Topuria.
Despite that, the promotion was unable to put the fight together as the welterweight champion is currently out of action due to a hand injury.
However, top welterweight contender Ian Machado Garry believes Makhachev’s hand injury is just an excuse for him to remain inactive.
Ian Machado Garry believes Makhachev is making excuses to stay inactive
Over the last few years, one of the main complaints the Russian has faced is that he is too inactive as a champion, having only fought once in 2024 and twice in 2025.
And according to ‘The Future’ Machado Garry, the 34-year-old is just making up excuses to stay inactive and ‘relevant’ without having to fight.
“Yeah I heard that too (that he has a hand injury), but I don’t believe it,” Machado Garry said in a post on his Instagram.
“I don’t know, I don’t know what to believe. I can’t imagine he hurt his hand in the last fight with Jack Della Maddalena so maybe he did it in horse riding? I don’t know. But I don’t believe it.
“I think it’s excuses. Everything about me now tells me he just doesn’t want to fight me, he doesn’t want to fight, I don’t know if it’s mentally or physically, whatever it is, but yeah.
“He’s doing the typical thing that all champions do when they get the belt. He’s trying to maintain his position, maintain relevancy by not fighting and staying inactive. When I fight, that all changes.”
Islam Makhachev and Khabib Nurmagomedov holding UFC titles. Credit: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
The Irishman is still ranked number two in the welterweight division and he is hopeful of fighting for the title next, however, things still remain unclear.
Michael Morales also believes he is in prime position for a title shot but Makhachev and his team seemingly are still undecided regarding who they will defend the title against first.
Initially, the Russian champion made it clear that he wants to fight Kamaru Usman next but the UFC seemingly shut down that potential fight.
2026-03-16 11:08:49
