Ian Machado Garry decisions Belal Muhammad in UFC Qatar co-main event

Former welterweight champion Belal Muhammad entered the octagon in Al Rayyan, Qatar on Saturday looking to rebound from losing the title in his last outing. "Remember the Name" faced No. 6 ranked Ian Machado Garry in the UFC Qatar co-main event with big implications in the 170-pound division.

Machado Garry bounced back from his first career loss with a victory over Carlos Prates in April. A win over the former champion would put Machado Garry squarely in title contention to face newly crowned champion Islam Makhachev sooner rather than later.

Muhammad pressed forward to start the fight. Machado Garry landed a leg kick. Muhammad was fine staying in the pocket and trading. Machado Garry accidentally poked Muhammad in the eye and the former champ was given time to recover. Once the action was restarted, Machado Garruy connected with his jab. Muhammad stepped in with a right hand. Muhammad loaded up with right hands but came up short. Midway through the round, Machado Garry delivered a leg kick that knocked Muhammad down. Muhammad immediately got up. He closed the distance and pressed Machado Garry against the cage. 

Machado Garry circled free and Muhammad connected with a right hand. Garry responded with a combination. Muhammad was cut below his left eye. Muhammad changed levels but Machado Garry defended the takedown attempt. Garry separated and looked to land a spinning back kick to the body. Muhammad landed a counter right hand. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Machado Garry, but it was a close round. 

Machado Garry utilized leg kicks early in the second frame. Muhammad pressed forward and connected with a hard right. hand. Garry responded with a counter right hand. Machado Garry continued to deliver leg kicks. Muhammad closed the distance but couldn't take Machado Garry down. Muhammad worked for a single-leg takedown but Machado Garry shook off the attempt. Muhammad pressed him against the cage but Machado Garry circled free. 

Muhammad again looked to get the fight to the ground. Machado Garry stuffed the attempt. Muhammad landed a right hand and was accidentally poked in the eye a second time. The fight was restarted and Machado Garry went back to using his jab. They exchange right hands. Muhammad clinched. Machado Garry created distance and connected with an elbow on the break. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Muhammad, but it was another close round.

Muhammad came out aggressive in the final frame. He landed a right hand and pressured Machado Garry. Machado Garry continued to land leg kicks. Machado Garry connected with a clean right hand followed by a front kick. Muhammad quickly clinched. They separated a right hand by Muhammad found a home. He looked for a takedown but Macho Garry defended the attempt. They worked for position inside the clinch. They separated and Machado Garry doubled up on his jab. They clinched and Machado Garry landed an elbow on the inside. Muhammad connected with a left hand at the bell. MMAWeekly scored the round 10-9 for Machado Garry.  

The judges scored the fight for Machado Garry via unanimous decision. The scorecards read 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28.