Sean Brady has officially confirmed that his next fight will be against Ian Garry, putting to rest circulating rumors of a bout with former welterweight champion Belal Muhammad. The announcement came on June 14, 2025, amidst intense speculation around the welterweight division, which is rapidly evolving with multiple contenders vying for a title shot.
Welterweight Division’s Growing Depth and Emerging Rivalries
The welterweight class is considered one of the deepest in MMA, with a highly competitive lineup strengthened further as Islam Makhachev moves up from lightweight to challenge Jack Della Maddalena for the 170-pound belt. This movement has added complexity, making it difficult to predict the next title contender. Amid these developments, Ian Garry has made a bold call for a showdown with Belal Muhammad, sparking a heated back-and-forth between the two fighters.
Garry, riding the momentum from his victory over Carlos Prates, made his intentions clear on social media. He taunted Muhammad about past mistakes and confidently proclaimed his superiority within the division, declaring,
“I believe Belal lost to JDM due to his EGO trying to stand and bang when he should have taken JDM down. Surely he won’t try to stand and bang with me? Surely not. I am going to box the ears off you because I’m the best in this division, hands down. Belal, learn from your last loss and never ever, ever try and stand and bang with me,”
showing that tensions are running high.
Belal Muhammad responded with a succinct but pointed statement simply promising, “I’ll see you at MSG,” hinting that he was open to a fight. However, the matchup seemed uncertain as the UFC landscape grew more complicated by another contender’s declaration.
Sean Brady Intervenes to Confirm His Fight with Ian Garry
Sean Brady, who recently secured a notable victory over former champion Leon Edwards, made it clear that the rumored Garry-Muhammad fight is unlikely to happen anytime soon. In a direct response to the swirling speculation, Brady dismissed talk of Garry facing Muhammad and confirmed he would be the one to fight Garry next.
Speaking with reporter Ariel Helwani, Brady stated,
“I know it’s not [happening]. He’s just trying to stir the pot… Me and Ian are fighting next.”
This assertiveness puts Brady’s path toward the 170-pound title shot into sharper focus, as he aims to secure another win before challenging for the belt.
Brady further elaborated on the competitive nature of the division and his readiness to prove himself:
“I’m fine with it—me and Ian. People are very surprised I keep saying that. Like, ‘Oh, you don’t want the title shot?’”
He also acknowledged the tough road ahead, mentioning other top contenders such as Shavkat Rakhmonov, Islam Makhachev moving up, Kamaru Usman, and Joaquin Buckley, who are all in pursuit of the title.
“Of course I want the title shot, but there’s still Shavkat [Rakhmonov] there, there’s Islam saying he’s moving up, you’ve got Kamaru [Usman] and [Joaquin] Buckley saying whoever wins [at UFC Atlanta is] getting a title shot. We’re all going to have to fight. I’m going to have to fight Ian Garry eventually. Why not just do it now and get it out of the way, if I’m as good as I think I am?”
Brady remarked, highlighting the need to overcome key opponents before a championship bout.
Ian Garry’s Perspective and Rejection of Brady’s Title Shot Claims
While Brady pushes for a fight with Garry, the latter has shown reluctance regarding some of the narratives emerging around the division. Ahead of his fight with Carlos Prates, Garry spoke with Ariel Helwani to share his views on the title race. He challenged Brady’s claim to an immediate title shot and suggested he himself was the bigger draw and more deserving contender.
“When I knock out Prates and I’ve just come off the back of that really, really close fight with Shavkat, and Shavkat is injured because of it… Who do you want to see Belal fight next? You want to see him fight Sean Brady next? Or do you want to see him fight Ian Machado Garry? What’s the bigger fight? If you’re the UFC and you’re deciding on a PPV and who the main event is… It’s obvious. It’s me. I get the attention. I get people riled up, love me or hate me, I’m the best in the world, and it’s my job to show it,”
Garry asserted confidently.
Garry’s dismissiveness toward Brady’s immediate title aspirations introduces further tension into the division’s dynamic. The welterweight tier is becoming more volatile as fighters jockey for position, each vying to be the next face to headline a major PPV event.
What Lies Ahead for the Welterweight Contenders?
With Brady unequivocally stating he will fight Garry next, the spotlight turns to how both fighters prepare for their clash and what implications the winner will have for the welterweight championship picture. Belal Muhammad remains a significant factor in the conversation, waiting in the wings and ready should Garry choose to face him in the future.
Meanwhile, Islam Makhachev’s move into the welterweight division adds more uncertainty and opportunities for matchups. The division will likely see multiple high-stakes fights as contenders focus on climbing the rankings, chasing the title held by Jack Della Maddalena.
For fans and analysts, the coming months will be pivotal to understanding the evolving landscape of the welterweight division. Sean Brady’s confirmed bout with Ian Garry promises to be a critical test for both men, with the winner gaining serious traction toward a title challenge.