Ben Askren: Ian Garry Has ‘Earned’ UFC Welterweight Title Shot

December 25, 2025

Former UFC fighter Ben Askren has shared his thoughts on the UFC Welterweight Title picture and feels Ian Machado Garry has ‘earned’ his shot.

Garry looks like he could miss out on a shot at Islam Makhachev next, with Shavkat Rakhmonov and Kamaru Usman perhaps ahead of him in the queue.

Ben Askren Says Ian Garry Has ‘Earned’ Next UFC Welterweight Title Shot

Retired American MMA star Ben Askren feels that Ian Machado Garry has done more than enough to earn his shot at Islam Makhachev and the UFC Welterweight Title next.

The former UFC fighter believes the Irishman has done enough to earn his shot at the 170-pound belt, despite other contenders rumoured to be ahead of him in the queue.

Garry defeated former champion Belal Muhammad last time out to rise to second in the welterweight rankings, with just former champion Jack Della Maddalena above him.

Ben Askren says Kamaru Usman doesn’t deserve the title shot vs Islam

“I don’t want to sound biased, but I really don’t [believe he deserves the title shot

I don’t love Ian Garry but I think he’s earned it”

via @HelenYeeSports pic.twitter.com/n8OwmDDbtR

— Dovy🔌 (@DovySimuMMA) December 24, 2025

Since then, Garry has dropped down the UFC welterweight rankings from second to third, despite nobody below him actually winning a fight to justify this move.

Although Shavkat Rakhmonov beat ‘The Future’ and is ranked above him in the current standings, former UFC star Askren feels the 28-year-old has earned his shot and should get the next title opportunity:

“I feel like the newer guys at welterweight have done enough to justify a title shot for themselves,” Askren told sports reporter Helen Yee in an interview.

“I don’t love Ian Garry but I really think he has earned it,” concluded Askren.

Ben Askren is adamant that Kamaru Usman doesn’t deserve the next welterweight title shot against Islam Makhachev and believes it should be Ian Garry fighting for the title 👀🇮🇪

“I know I’ve had issues with him, so I don’t want to sound biased, but I really don’t (believe he… pic.twitter.com/2YaZnxJJIy

— Scanlon MMA (@ScanlonMMA) December 24, 2025

Who Will Get The Next UFC Welterweight Title Shot Against Islam Makhachev?

Depending on when Islam Makhachev returns to the octagon will firmly dictate who gets the next shot at the UFC Welterweight Title in 2026.

Ian Garry suffered a shock injury just days before Christmas whilst playing with his three-year-old son, but insists he is ready to fight Makhachev whenever he gets the call.

The Irishman feels he has done enough to warrant the next shot at the 170-pound belt, as does Ben Askren who feels ‘The Future’ has earned his shot at the pound-for-pound king.

Undefeated Kazakh fighter Shavkat Rakhmonov also looks primed for the next shot at Makhachev. Rakhmonov likely would have fought for the belt by now if it wasn’t for injury, but has recovered and is eying a return to the octagon early next year.

Great chatting with Ben Askren @RAFWrestlingUSA ! Interview with @Benaskren here: https://t.co/JHMfjl6Cgp pic.twitter.com/btOrPDeWkK

— Helen Yee (@HelenYeeSports) December 23, 2025

Rakhmonov is currently ranked above Garry and beat the Irishman at UFC 310 back in December 2024, so may well get the call before his former foe.

Former long-reigning champion Kamaru Usman is another man who feels his credentials and body of work as a dominant champion are enough to warrant a fight with Makhachev for the welterweight belt.

Garry firmly disagrees with this, insisting that Usman has done nothing whatsoever to earn his shot at Makhachev. This is something a lot of ex-fighters don’t agree with, including Jorge Masvidal.

Masvidal slammed Garry for his Usman comments, and feels that his former foe, who beat ‘Gamebred’ twice for the welterweight crown, has more than earned his stripes and should get the next 170-pound shot at the belt.

The likes of Michael Morales and Carlos Prates are also knocking on the door of a shot at Makhachev and the welterweight crown, but have a little more work to do before they can call for UFC gold.