Ian Garry Plays Matchmaker for Welterweight Contenders; Michael Morales Responds

Ian Machado Garry outlined preferred UFC welterweight matchups while asserting his case for a title shot, underscoring uncertainty around the division's next challenger.He placed a potential UFC welterweight title defense for Islam Makhachev against himself and proposed Carlos Prates vs. Michael Morales, with Kamaru Usman meeting Jack Della Maddalena.Michael Morales dismissed the proposal and said he expects the next opportunity, while Makhachev has stated a preference to defend against Usman.Morales (19-0) and Prates recorded knockout wins over Sean Brady and Leon Edwards on the UFC 322 card in November, when Makhachev dethroned Maddalena.Garry (17-1) then defeated former champion Belal Muhammad at UFC Qatar one week later.