Overview
- Islam Makhachev told Red Corner MMA on Tuesday that he has not spoken with UFC officials about an Ian Machado Garry bout and that nothing is finalized.
- He called Carlos Prates the most interesting option after Prates stopped Jack Della Maddalena by third‑round TKO in Perth.
- Makhachev said several names remain in play for his first welterweight defense, listing Garry, Prates, Michael Morales, Kamaru Usman, and Shavkat Rakhmonov.
- Reports indicate the promotion is eyeing an August return at UFC 330 in Philadelphia, yet no contract has been signed and the opponent is undecided.
- Prates’ surge has complicated expectations that Garry, the No. 1 contender who owns a prior decision over Prates, would be next in line.