Ian Machado Garry questions if Islam Makhachev is really injured or just ‘time wasting’ after training footage emerges

DOHA, QATAR - NOVEMBER 22: Ian Machado Garry of Ireland prepares to face Belal Muhammad in a welterweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at ABHA Arena on November 22, 2025 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC) Ian Machado Garry is anxiously awaiting the call to book a title fight against reigning UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev but he’s beginning to question if the delays making that happen are legitimate or not. While the UFC hasn’t officially confirmed Garry getting a shot at gold, he has repeatedly insisted that the matchup is supposed to happen but just hasn’t been scheduled yet.

Part of the problem comes down to Makhachev’s health after UFC CEO Dana White recently revealed that he’s dealing with a hand injury that prevented him from being considered for the upcoming White House card in June. But on Sunday, Makhachev posted a video clip showing him hitting a heavy bag, which immediately had Garry up in arms about why the UFC is saying he’s injured but it appears the Dagestan native is healthy enough to compete. “WTF,” Garry wrote in response to the training footage on Instagram.

“Hand injury or time wasting? ” Of course while Garry has continued going on the offensive with his jabs at Makhachev as well as pushing for a date to make the fight official, nothing has been booked yet. In fact, White doubled down on Makhachev’s injury following UFC London this past Saturday night and wouldn’t commit to Garry or anybody else being next in line for a welterweight title shot.

“Islam’s coming back from an injury, a hand injury,” White said. “As soon as he’s ready, we’ll figure out what’s next for him. ” Makhachev last fought this past November when he scored a lopsided unanimous decision win over Jack Della Maddalena to become UFC welterweight champion.