Ian Machado Garry Reveals Islam Makhachev Allegedly Turned Down Ilia Topuria Fight at the White House

For months, the UFC welterweight title picture seemed to be stuck in neutral. Ian Machado Garry had been told as early as January that he was next in line for champion Islam Makhachev, yet spring came and went without a contract, an announcement, or even a date. 

Subsequently, rumors swirled about injuries, scheduling conflicts, and super fights, but the Irish contender insists there was more going on behind the scenes.
Now, with his long-awaited championship opportunity finally set for UFC 330 in Philadelphia, Garry has revealed his side of the story behind the proposed Topuria-Makhachev super fight that ultimately never got off the ground.

Ian Machado Garry Says Islam Makhachev Turned Down Proposed White House Superfight

According to the surging welterweight contender, the Dagestani passed on multiple opportunities to return, including what Garry claims was a proposed blockbuster showdown against fellow two-division champion Ilia Topuria at the White House.

Garry revealed that he was initially informed in January that he would be next in line for a title shot. Discussions about fighting in April followed, but the timeline kept getting pushed back.

“I was told I was next in January,” Garry said during an appearance on "The Ariel Helwani Show." 

"There were talks about April. Then there was an official offer put out for May 9, to which he turned down. It was, no, no, no."

Ian Machado Garry Mentions UFC Pushed for Freedom 250 Bout

According to the 28-year-old, the UFC later explained that it wanted to exhaust every avenue to stage one of the biggest fights imaginable, a champion-versus-champion clash between Makhachev and former featherweight king Ilia Topuria at the White House.

"They spoke to me about how they needed to do their due diligence and put on one of the biggest fights they possibly could, which was Ilia vs. Islam at the White House," Garry said. "Islam turned it down, to my knowledge... And here we are. The right fight has been made. The fight that should be fought. And we get it on August 15, my friend."

Garry's comments add another layer of uncertainty to the White House card, which generated considerable speculation before ultimately failing to materialize. While  Makhachev has previously disputed suggestions that he was unavailable, Garry maintains that the reigning champion declined at least one proposed date and allegedly passed on the opportunity to face Topuria.

Right now, the Irishman’s focus has shifted toward dethroning the pound-for-pound king and proving that the welterweight division would be better served with a more active champion at the helm.

Ian Machado Garry Believes UFC Welterweight Division Thrives with Him as Champion

Apparently, securing a title shot seems to be just one part of Garry's mission. “Machado” is equally convinced that the division itself would benefit from a changing of the guard.

"When I'm the champion of the world, the welterweight division is better off," Garry said. He then pointed to Makhachev's activity level as his primary concern: "Firstly, Islam only fights once a year. So, his next defense might be in July 2027."

Garry then outlined a list of potential opponents he believes could usher in a new era for the weight class. A rematch with Carlos Prates remains an enticing possibility, while long-discussed matchups against Michael Morales, Gabriel Bonfim, and Sean Brady could all headline major events.

He also mentioned the possibility of a grudge match against Shavkat Rakhmonov if the Kazakh returns to the promotion after recovery. 

For Garry, the argument extends beyond his own ambitions. In fact, he believes the 170 lb division is currently the deepest and most talented roster in the UFC, but one that necessitates a champion willing to defend frequently and embrace stylistic variety.

"The welterweight division is the greatest it's ever been," he said. "It's the best division in the sport right now. From top to bottom, the best division. When I'm the champion, there's gonna be more activity, more high-level fights. It's the best thing for the sport."

With UFC 330 now official, Garry now has the opportunity to turn those promises into reality.