UFC Qatar: Ian Machado Gary vows to make fellow welterweight contenders ‘irrelevant’

Prats (100%), Rakhmonov (86%) and Morales (71%) all have higher takedown rates than Machado Jarry (33%) in the UFC, but he is confident of convincing matchmakers that he deserves to be next.

“It’s about being the best and most interesting,” added Machado Gary. “The players did a great job last week, however, I am the deciding factor in what happens to the rest of the division.

“My whole goal this weekend is to go out there and leave it beyond doubt, undeniably, undeniably, that Ian Machado Gary is the best welterweight walking the planet right now.”

Following his win over Della Maddalena, the 34-year-old Makhachev called for a title fight with former champion Kamaru Usman.

The 38-year-old Nigerian, who beat Joaquin Edwards in June, is ranked eighth in the welterweight rankings, one place behind Edwards.

Machado Gary says the division has moved on, and Makhachev should target young fighters like him, Prates and Morales rather than “outcasts.”

He added: “If I were Islam, I would want to fight Othman as well, because it is an easy fight, an easy salary, and a first defense of the title.”

“This, to me, is a retreat. Fight one of the up-and-comers, guys who are hungry, who haven’t felt what it means to be a hero, and who have the drive to follow their dreams.”