Islam Makhachev has answered Ian Machado Garry’s public callout, responding after the welterweight contender questioned his injury status and return timeline.
Makhachev captured the UFC welterweight title from Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322 last November and has been out for about six months, partly due to a hand injury and time off for Ramadan. In the meantime, No. 2-ranked contender Garry has been pushing hard for his first UFC title shot and took to social media to press the champion.
“First you say you have a hand injury, Dana said August, you’re saying July — I’ve been ready since you last turned me down in May,” Garry wrote, later adding, “We’re all waiting on you princess.”
Makhachev quickly responded on social media, pushing back at the criticism. “Don’t worry about my injuries,” he wrote. “I’m ready at any time. I’m waiting for the contract.”
Garry has maintained that he believes he has been ready to fight for the past year and claims Makhachev previously turned him down for a fight in May, while the champion now says he is simply awaiting word from UFC matchmakers.
