Irish contender Ian Machado Garry has vowed to render his welterweight contenders “irrelevant” with his performance at UFC Qatar as he looks to eclipse his 170-pound rivals and cement himself as the number-one contender heading into 2026.

Ian Machado Garry says he’s ‘one step ahead’ of Belal Muhammad

Garry takes on former undisputed welterweight champion Belal Muhammad in the co-main event in Doha on Saturday night, and “The Future” has warned that, while Muhammad as a well-rounded, world-class skillset, he is a cut above his rival in every department.

“Everything Belal does I can do better,” he said.

“I’m going to prove that I’m always one step ahead. I’m going to out-wrestle him, out-grapple him. Anywhere the fight counts, he’s going to be left panicking.

“Since I’ve gotten to Qatar, the welcome here has been sensational.

“As soon as I landed, I was welcomed with open arms. So, I’m super excited to give Doha a great show.

“After I knock out Belal Muhammad I will be the No.1 contender in the world, No.1 ranked welterweight on the planet and I’m cementing myself next in line to face Islam for the title.”

Ian Machado Garry warns welterweight rivals

Garry also sent a warning to the rest of his welterweight rankings, as well as the newly-crowned welterweight Islam Makhachev, who captured the 170-pound title with a dominant performance to outpoint Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322.

“I just want to make one thing abundantly clear,” he said, at the end of his media day session in Doha.

“Every single person in this room, every interview I’ve done this week, they’ve all been talking about people from last week.

“This weekend, when I knock out Belal Muhammad, I’m going to make every single other person in the welterweight division irrelevant.

“I am going to cement myself as the number-one contender. And Islam Makhachev, get ready. I’ll see you soon, wherever and whenever.”

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