Ian Machado Garry has taken issue with Islam Makhachev's suggestion that he could fight in July, after UFC president Dana White previously ruled out that possibility.
In late March, White dismissed a claim by Makhachev's manager Ali Abdelaziz, who said the welterweight champion might next compete in July. White said that was not the case, and that Makhachev was in talks over an August return. That would set his next contest as the main event of UFC 330 on 15 August.
However, Makhachev (28-1) tweeted on Wednesday, "July ?" along with a phone emoji, leading No. 2 contender Machado Garry to express frustration online – not for the first time.
"First you say you have a hand injury," the Irishman (17-1) wrote on Instagram on Thursday. "Dana said August, you're saying July. I've been ready since you last turned me down in May. We're all waiting on you princess."
Another interesting wrinkle in the situation is the role of Machado Garry's compatriot Conor McGregor. The Independent understands that McGregor's long-awaited return was being targeted for the main event of UFC 329 on 11 July, but a Makhachev bout in July would almost certainly take that slot.
Of course, there is the outside possibility that Makhachev could face McGregor in the UFC 329 main event in Las Vegas. However, it feels likelier that McGregor, who has not fought in five years, would be handed a more-winnable comeback contest.
Either way, Makhachev's next fight will mark his first defence of the welterweight title, which he won by dominating Jack Della Maddalena in November. The Russian, 34, previously held the lightweight title from late 2022 until last spring, setting the record for the most successful title-defences in UFC history (4). He vacated the belt to move up to 170lb.
Machado Garry, 28, is eyeing his first title shot in the UFC, having built a 10-1 record since debuting in 2021. Last time out, in November, he secured a decision win over ex-champion Belal Muhammad for his biggest scalp yet.
