Ian Machado Garry defeated former champion Belal Muhammad at UFC Qatar after which snapped a shock win over Carlos Prates in April, marking his second straight win in 2025.
After the UFC Qatar win, Garry changed Shavkat Rakhmonov because the No. 2 welterweight. Nonetheless, the rating has modified once more and Garry is now in third place. Rakhmonov regained second place, sitting behind former champion Jacques Della Maddalena.
Please examine the most recent rankings under.
Gary’s solely loss in MMA got here towards “Nomad” at UFC 310.
What does the change in rankings indicate for Ian Machado-Galley and Shavkat Rakhmonov?
Regardless of rumors that champion Islam Makhachev will face Kamaru Usman, modifications within the rankings recommend Shavkat Rakhmonov may very well be the UFC’s subsequent welterweight title contender.
In 2024, when Belal Muhammad was the welterweight champion, Rakhmonov was scheduled to combat for the title at UFC 310. Nonetheless, “Bear in mind the Title” withdrew from the title combat as a result of a bone harm, and Garry changed him at brief discover and misplaced to Rachmonov. Then the undefeated Kazakh prodigy was sidelined with a knee harm. In line with studies, he’s anticipated to return in February or March subsequent 12 months.
Rakhmonov has expressed his need to compete for the championship, but additionally stated he can be keen to face one other elite opponent to show his continued superiority and standing because the primary contender. Nomad’ instructed Ariel Helwani:
“I wish to combat for the title subsequent, however this timeline would not apply to Islam, February, March. He’ll in all probability defend the belt in April or Could. In fact, if I can combat Islam subsequent, I will be prepared. I can try this. However then once more, I am purported to combat for the title. I had good causes to not make the most of this chance, and I used to be promised a title combat sooner or later. However then once more, if I’ve to combat yet one more time earlier than the title combat, I haven’t got the correct to do this.
See Shavkat Rakhmonov’s feedback under (8:17):
It seems that ‘The Future’ must safe a choice win to have a shot on the championship, as many have urged, with many claiming that the Irishman’s resolution victory, regardless of being a brief discover combat, was not sufficient to impress UFC matchmakers.
