Ian Machado Garry is set to face Islam Makhachev, as the champion named him the number one contender.
Makhachev starts his fight camp immediately, aiming to return in August.
What happened?
Islam Makhachev laid out his plans, with Ian Machado Garry at the front of the line for the title shot.
The Dagestani fighter acknowledged other contenders, including Carlos Prates and Michael Morales.
Why it matters for Ian Machado Garry
Garry's entire welterweight run has been building towards this moment, with the champion's endorsement confirming his position.
Ilia Topuria backed Garry to dethrone Makhachev, citing his experience and sharpened skills against elite competition.
What comes next?
Makhachev will start his camp, with a potential fight against Garry in August, as the welterweight division gets more interesting.
Garry will be betting on making Makhachev's past knockout happen again, as Topuria reminded everyone that Makhachev is not undefeated.
And with this endorsement, Garry's chances of becoming the champion have increased significantly.
But the road to the title will not be easy, with other contenders waiting for their chance.
So the question remains, can Garry take the title from Makhachev in their potential fight.
As Makhachev said, "Right after here, I’m going to camp and I don’t know, August. I will be ready. A lot of contenders, but number 1 is Ian Garry."
This statement from Makhachev has made it clear that Garry is the top contender for the title.
With the fight potentially happening in August, fans are eagerly waiting to see if Garry can take the title.
The welterweight division is loaded with talented fighters, but Garry's experience and skills make him a strong contender.
As Ilia Topuria said, "It’s the fight business everyone has chances, especially for someone like Ian Garry."
This quote from Topuria highlights the competitive nature of the sport and Garry's chances of winning.
Garry's UFC run has been impressive, with him positioning himself as the inevitable next challenger.
Now, with Makhachev's endorsement, Garry's chances of becoming the champion have increased significantly.
The stage is set for a potential fight between Garry and Makhachev, and fans are eagerly waiting to see what happens next.