Garry Outpoints Belal At UFC Qatar; Calls Out Makhachev

Ian Machado Garry secured the biggest win of his career, defeating former welterweight champion Belal Muhammad by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) at UFC Qatar.

Machado Garry started strong, using his movement to control the distance. He cut Muhammad just below his right eye, drawing blood. A time-out was called after a pair of stray fingers appeared to make contact with Muhammad’s other eye. When the fight resumed, Muhammad landed a right hand, forcing Garry to respond with jabs and kicks. 

Garry stung Muhammad with a flurry in the second, only for Belal to land with a huge right hand. Midway through the round, Muhammad tied Garry up against the cage, attempting to implement his wrestling. Garry managed to break free before a takedown could be secured. Moments later, the referee intervened once more as Garry’s fingers briefly seemed to graze Muhammad again.

In a contentious decision, the referee quickly ruled it a clean shot with no penalty, allowing the action to restart without delay. Garry seized the initiative in the last round, as he landed a massive punch, followed by a spinning backfist, and a snapping front kick. The judges ultimately rewarded Garry’s cleaner striking, greater output, and superior overall control. In his post-fight comments, Garry called out the welterweight champion Islam Makhachev.