Ian Garry Guarantees Welterweight Title Shot After UFC Qatar Clash With Belal Muhammad

Irish star Ian “The Future” Machado Garry has the MMA spotlight firmly on him as he heads into a high-stakes welterweight clash with perennial contender Belal Muhammad at UFC Qatar on Saturday, 22 November 2025. The 27-year-old arrives in Doha riding an unbeaten UFC run that has positioned him on the brink of title contention. At Friday’s official weigh-ins Garry hit the championship limit of 170 lbs, while Muhammad tipped the scales at 171 lbs, clearing the way for a co-main-event that could reshape the welterweight rankings overnight. Speaking to UFC.com earlier in fight week, the Dublin native laid out his mission statement in clear terms: “I want to be undeniable … I’m here to make everyone else in this division irrelevant”. Garry’s confidence—and his polished striking—have prompted comparisons with compatriot Conor McGregor, but the Irishman insists he is carving his own legacy under the nickname “The Future.” Beyond the Octagon, Garry has been trending across X, Instagram and TikTok after sparring verbally with Muhammad over alleged “scripted” trash talk, a jab the Chicago-born Palestinian quickly returned in kind. The back-and-forth has fueled record engagement for both fighters, pushing Garry to the top of global search trends as fans debate whether his slick counterboxing can neutralize Muhammad’s relentless pressure and wrestling. What’s at stake? UFC President Dana White hinted that an emphatic win in Qatar could propel Garry into a 2026 title eliminator—or even a direct shot at champion Leon Edwards—given the Irishman’s spotless ledger and burgeoning star power. Veteran Muhammad, however, sees Saturday as his own long-deferred breakthrough, vowing to “take Garry’s head” and silence the hype once and for all. For viewers eager to catch the action, UFC Qatar airs live on TNT Sports in the UK and streams on ESPN+ in the United States; prelims begin at 10 a.m. ET with the Garry-Muhammad bout expected to walk around noon ET. With the Irish fan base already mobilizing online watch-parties and Doha’s Lusail Hall reportedly sold out, the atmosphere promises echoes of Garry’s idol McGregor’s rise—only this time on Middle Eastern soil. Whether Garry’s precision striking, lateral movement and self-belief prove “undeniable,” or Muhammad’s grit and grappling extend his own unbeaten streak, Saturday’s duel is poised to answer one burning question flooding search bars worldwide: Is Ian Machado Garry truly the future of the UFC welterweight division?