Former UFC Welterweight champion Belal Muhammad returns to the Octagon for the first time since losing his title in May as the American squares off with Irish standout Ian Machado Garry in the co-main event of UFC Fight Night Qatar this Saturday. Muhammad, the top-ranked welterweight contender, is a massive underdog against the rising Garry, who returned to winning ways this year following last year's setback against Shavkat Rakhmonov, with an impressive decision over Carlos Prates. With Islam Makhachev now the welterweight King, the winner of this fight will become part of the conversation on who will next face the divisional champion, Ilia Topuria.
Bet on Belal Muhammad vs Ian Machado Garry with Bet365
Belal Muhammad vs Ian Machado Garry Fight Details
- Date: Saturday, November 22, 2025
- Time: 22:00 AST
- Venue: ABHA Arena, Doha, Qatar
Where to watch Belal Muhammad vs Ian Machado Garry Live on TV or Stream
| Country | TV Channel/Stream |
|---|---|
| UK | TNT Sports, Discovery+ |
| US | ESPN+ Espn App |
| Canada | Sportsnet, TVA |
| South Africa | Supersport, DSTV Stream |
Belal Muhammad vs Ian Machado Garry Fight Preview
Belal Muhammad: form and statistics
Veteran Belal Muhammad had won six straight fights and gone eleven fights unbeaten before he was upset and dethroned by Jack Della Maddalena in Montreal earlier this year. Muhammad gained the welterweight strap with a decision over Leon Edwards in July 2024, capping off a lengthy run in the promotion that began in 2016. A decision machine, the 37-year-old wrestler is tied with Kamaru Usman for the most unanimous decision wins in the welterweight class. "Remember the Name" also ranks at the top of the 170-pound division in most decision wins, significant strikes landed, and takedown defense. In his title defence, Belal Muhammad tried a striking strategy before forcing a couple of takedown efforts towards the end of the fight. He lost the close fight to Maddalena, as the Aussie landed the better shots.
Tale of the Tape
- Age: 37
- Height: 5'10"
- Reach: 72"
- Weight: 170 lbs (77kg)
- Record: 24-4-1 (NC)
Ian Machado Garry: form and statistics
"The Future" dropped his first professional fight last December, when he stepped in at short notice against Shavkat Rakhmonov in a welterweight title eliminator. Ian Machado Garry, who joined martial arts after being inspired by the successes of his fellow Irishman, Conor McGregor, rebounded from the loss with an excellent performance against the Fighting Nerds leader, Carlos Prates, handing the streaking Brazilian his first UFC loss. A 2021 UFC debutant, Garry went 8-0 before his loss last year, beating Geoff Neal, Neil Magny, Song Kenan, and Michael Page along the way. Ian Machado Garry is now ranked at number six in the UFC welterweight rankings. The 28-year-old has a black belt in Judo.
Tale of the Tape
- Age: 28
- Height: 6'3"
- Reach: 74"
- Weight: 170 lbs (77kg)
- Record: 16-1
Belal Muhammad vs Ian Machado Garry Fight Prediction
Despite the odds, this matchup is going to be a close fight, with the likelihood of going either way. Belal Muhammad has experience and a very high takedown defense (90%). There was a reason why he was the favorite going in against Jack Della Maddalena. Also, Muhammad has fought the better opponents of the two in his career. One thing going for Ian Machado Garry is his age. He is nine years younger and getting better with each fight. Ian Machado Garry is bigger too, with longer reach and bests Belal Muhammad in the significant strikes section. Both fighters are decision experts, and it is easy to predict the fight going the distance. However, it may not be as easy to pick a winner. But over 2.5.
Belal Muhammad vs Ian Machado Garry Betting Odds
| Bookmakers | Over 2.5 | Machado Garry to win |
|---|---|---|
| Bet365 | 1.33 | 1.36 |
| 1xBet | 1.35 | 1.373 |
| Betway | 1.22 | 1.34 |
