Shavkat Rakhmonov vs Ian Machado Garry Rematch Rumoured For Early 2026

A rematch between Shavkat Rakhmonov and Ian Machado Garry is being rumoured for early 2026 in a final eliminator for the UFC Welterweight Title.

Both Garry and Rakhmonov are set to miss out on the next shot at Islam Makhachev, with Michael Morales likely.

Shavkat Rakhmonov vs Ian Machado Garry Rematch Rumoured

A rematch between Ian Machado Garry and Shavkat Rakhmonov is being rumoured for early in the New Year.

Rakhmonov is currently ranked at #2 in the current UFC welterweight standings, with Garry just one place behind him at #3. Garry actually dropped down the UFC welterweight rankings recently, with the undefeated ‘Nomad’ jumping above him.

A second bout between the pair seems likely next, given the current landscape of the 170-pound division.

The Kazakh hasn’t fought since defeating the Irishman at UFC 310 back in December 2024, having undergone surgery forcing him to miss the entirety of 2025 due to injury and recovery.

‘The Future’ on the other hand has bounced back from defeat to Rakhmonov with two impressive victories over Carlos Prates and former champion Belal Muhammad.

If Rakhmonov hadn’t got injured and had to spend an extended period on the sidelines, the likelihood is he would have already had a shot at the UFC Welterweight Title.

Now that he is back in training, he is right back in the title picture but likely needs one more win to remind fans of his talents and also to shake off any ring rust.

Garry on the other hand feels he deserves his shot at the 170-pound belt next. Former UFC fighter Ben Askren says Garry deserves the next UFC Welterweight Title shot too, but it seems unlikely he will get it.

In the interim, a rematch between Garry and Rakhmonov makes total sense to determine the next challenger to Islam Makhachev and his 170-pound throne.

Islam Makhachev doesn't think Shavkat Rakhmonov deserves a title shot

"If Shavkat comes back, I don't think anyone will give him a title shot right away… The guy hasn't fought in over a year. He probably needs to win a fight first to earn a shot at the belt."

(via Ushatayka) pic.twitter.com/oZ67BnE72U

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) December 28, 2025

Islam Makhachev Dismisses Shavkat Rakhmonov and Ian Garry Title Shot

Another reason that a Shavkat Rakhmonov vs Ian Machado Garry rematch is likely to be next is down to the fact that the current welterweight champion has dismissed both their credentials for a shot at the belt.

As the pound-for-pound king and welterweight champion, Makhachev undoubtedly has a say in who his next fight and first UFC Welterweight Title defence will be against.

Although Rakhmonov and Garry are the next two in line in the rankings behind Jack Della Maddalena, who Makhachev beat with ease to win the belt, the Dagestani fighter feels his next challenger will come from a bit further down the rankings.

Garry is being frozen out the UFC Welterweight Title picture, and now his former foe Rakhmonov is too.

“If Shavkat comes back, I don’t think anyone will give him a title shot right away. The guy hasn’t fought in over a year. He probably needs a win first to earn a shot at the belt,” Makhachev told Ushatayka.

🗣️ Islam Makhachev speaks about his “toughest” opponet at 170lbs:

“Morales and Prates haven’t been checked yet. I think Kamaru Usman would be the hardest fight for me.”

Kamaru is 38 years old with bad knees.. Michae Morales is 26 & Carlos Prates is 32 years old… #UFC pic.twitter.com/HpNLkvdoUb

— MMA UNCENSORED (@MMAUNCENSORED1) December 28, 2025

Instead, it looks like Makhachev could defend his belt for the first time against former champion Kamaru Usman or perhaps #4 ranked welterweight contender Michael Morales.

Of those two, it seems the P4P king would prefer a fight against former long-reigning welterweight champion Usman, who Makhachev believes is his toughest match-up at 170-pounds:

“Morales and Prates haven’t been checked yet. I think Kamaru Usman would be the hardest fight for me.”

With Makhachev likely to fight Usman or Morales next in his first UFC Welterweight Title defence, this leaves Ian Machado Garry and Shavkat Rakhmonov in limbo.

A rematch between the pair makes total sense to determine who will face Makhachev after his first defence. If indeed he keeps the belt that is.