Ian “Machado” Garry is the lastest fighter to get hosed by the UFC’s present rating system.
If 2024 introduced the tip of unlawful downward elbows, possibly 2025 will mark the final 12 months now we have the silly present UFC rating system that simply swaps shedding fighters with the decrease ranked opponent that beat them, sliding everybody else down a slot.
If you happen to’re above a fighter within the rankings and beat them? Don’t count on to maneuver. If you happen to placed on the efficiency of your profession towards a a lot greater ranked opponent however nonetheless lose by an inch? Don’t count on to maneuver.
That’s what occurred to Garry after almost submitting Shavkat Rakhmonov in a powerful 5 spherical battle for the subsequent welterweight title shot. He got here into UFC 310 ranked No. 7 at 170 kilos, and after that expectation-exceeding efficiency he … stays No. 7. Womp womp.
“The best way I have a look at that is that the combat towards Shavkat was to be the No. 1 contender on the earth, and exit and combat for the belt subsequent,” Garry mentioned in an interview with Sports activities Illustrated. “If I’m not the primary contender — of which Shavkat received his hand raised and has now cemented himself — I’m undoubtedly quantity f—king two.”
“That’s the way in which I have a look at it as a result of there’s no approach after that efficiency you’ll be able to’t sit there and say that I’m probably the greatest within the division. So regardless of the rankings wish to formally say, it’s OK.”
“I do know in my coronary heart and my soul, and I see the followers are giving me plenty of love and plenty of respect for that combat,” he concluded. “I’m completely, in my thoughts, the No. 2 contender on the earth.”
Garry did cement himself as a legit contender with that efficiency. Rakhmonov’s resume coming into the combat featured 18 wins — all finishes — and no losses. So for Garry to even make it to last bell was greater than anybody else has ever finished towards the Kazakh fighter. And Ian had his moments. There was a submission in spherical 5 from him that was the closest both fighter got here to ending the combat. Judges would see the bout 48-47 for Shavkat on all three scorecards.
Not unhealthy for a man who got here into 2024 off a last-minute withdrawal from the ultimate pay-per-view of 2023. Garry was getting completely destroyed on-line and within the media by fighters. Some claimed he ditched out of the occasion with a faux sickness slightly than take care of all the acute trolling and hatred coming his approach.
Twelve months later and it actually would take a hater to dismiss him as unfit of high contender standing in one of many hardest divisions within the UFC. As he mentioned, the rating is only a quantity. Garry comes into 2025 legit.
