Ian Garry Climbs To #2 In Latest UFC Welterweight Rankings

February 3, 2026

Ian Garry has climbed one spot in the latest UFC welterweight rankings after Shavkat Rakhmonov was removed.

The Irishman is now ranked second at 170-pounds, behind just the champion Islam Makhachev and Jack Della Maddalena.

Ian Garry Climbs One Spot In Latest UFC Welterweight Rankings

Ian Machado Garry is now officially the #2 ranked contender at welterweight in the UFC after climbing one spot in the latest change to the rankings.

This comes after former foe Shavkat Rakhmonov, who was ranked second behind Jack Della Maddalena, has been removed from the full rankings after sustaining yet another lengthy injury.

Rakhmonov’s loss in Garry’s gain, who is the highest ranked fighter besides the former champion ‘JDM’ at 170-pounds.

Despite Garry being labelled ‘boring’ by UFC higher-ups, it looks like the 28-year-old could be within touching distance of a shot at the champion Islam Makhachev and the welterweight belt.

Shavkat Rakhmonov has been pulled from the welterweight rankings.

He was listed in the eligible pool of athletes during last rankings cycle, but with injury news surfacing, he is not in latest update.

Additionally, Michael "Venom" Page to return to list at No. 15. pic.twitter.com/Ot7p0AKVDC

— John Morgan (@JohnMorgan_MMA) February 3, 2026

It remains to be seen what happens next regarding Garry’s next fight and his future, but he is most definitely in line for a shot at the belt. If not fighting for the full title next, then a final eliminator against Michael Morales is the only fight that makes sense for ‘The Future’.

Garry’s latest climb to second in the welterweight rankings shows just how good a fighter he is. His only defeat in MMA of course came to Rakhmonov in a fairly close fight, who hasn’t fought since due to two lengthy injuries.

The Portmarnock man on the other hand has bounced back with two victories over Carlos Prates and Belal Muhammad respectively, which is why he is now so highly ranked at 170-pounds.

Despite Garry being frozen out of the UFC Welterweight Title picture late last year, his fortunes may have changed as he looks primed to fight for the belt this year, perhaps even next.

He was eliminated at our title eliminator https://t.co/B2zbSbp9f1

— “The Future” Ian Machado Garry (@iangarryMMA) February 3, 2026

Ian Garry Officially In Line For Next UFC Welterweight Title Shot

Ian Machado Garry’s move from third to second in the latest UFC welterweight rankings is certainly good news for the Irishman in regards to his chances of fighting for the belt next.

Islam Makhachev is the champion after beating former king Jack Della Maddalena, who is now the only contender ranked above Garry at 170-pounds. ‘JDM’ won’t get a shot at Makhachev next after losing a one-sided fight, meaning Garry is officially next in line in the rankings.

This comes after Shavkat Rakhmonov once again sustained a lengthy injury and faces an extended period on the sidelines. With that in mind, ‘The Future’ simply cannot be denied his shot at Makhachev and the welterweight belt next.

Garry took a cheap shot at Tai Tuivasa on social media after his UFC 325 loss, but looks like he will receive some positive news thanks to his impressive record, unlike the Australian heavyweight.

https://twitter.com/CageChaos44258/status/2018645345811726427

With Makhachev side-lined until May/June time due to Ramadan, there is every chance the 28-year-old doesn’t fight until then too and is indeed the next challenger to Makhachev’s throne.

There is a chance that Makhachev faces former long-reigning champion and #7 ranked contender Kamaru Usman next instead, which would then leave Garry in a predicament whether to stay active and fight in the interim or wait it out until the end of the year for his shot at the belt.

If he isn’t next in line, a final eliminator bout against the third ranked welterweight Michael Morales could make total sense. That being said, the Irishman has previously insisted he won’t fight anyone else apart from Makhachev.

This is something former UFC welterweight Bern Askren agrees with, having said that Garry has ‘earned’ his shot at the 170-pound belt and cannot be denied his chance at claiming UFC gold.