Ian Machado Garry‘s rise is no longer a slow burn; he is now a legitimate challenge to the welterweight division’s top spot. His victory at UFC Kansas City not only put him back in the win column but also propelled him into the championship conversation. The UFC then confirmed that he is more than just a prospect, as he has been named the official backup for the title fight at UFC 315. This alone tells volumes. But then came the rankings update, and the top five were faced with a serious situation.

‘The Future’ is currently No. 6 in the official UFC welterweight rankings, passing Joaquin Buckley and putting himself just one step away from the division’s elite. Garry’s title shot is no longer a pipe dream; it’s just one injury, one slip-up, or one brave UFC decision away. Being chosen as the backup for the upcoming championship bout is no longer a courtesy but rather a warning shot to those ahead of him. If Belal Muhammad or Jack Della Maddalena bails out during fight week, Garry is ready to step in and turn the welterweight division on its head.

Even if UFC 315 proceeds without incident, the writing is on the wall. Ian Garry’s trajectory, combined with his activity and readiness to fight on short notice, sets him apart. Machado is not just talking about greatness; he’s walking right toward it. With names like Shavkat Rakhmonov, Leon Edwards, and even former champion Kamaru Usman ahead of him, the challenge is steep. But ‘The Future’ appears unconcerned, even encouraged. He is pursuing legacy rather than rankings, and that makes him dangerous in a division that’s been cautiously circling the same names for years.

For the current top five, this is more than just another name on the list. It is a disruption. Sean Brady is at No. 1, but Garry’s momentum may give him more visibility right now. Della Maddalena is already booked with Belal, while Kamaru Usman now has a fight scheduled against Joaquin Buckley to make a massive comeback. Speaking of Buckley, while ‘The Future’ would be glad that he found the number 6 spot on the list, what would make him happier is that he dethroned ‘New Mansa’ off the spot after their ongoing feud.

Ian Garry’s rank shift answers Joaquin Buckley’s latest jibe

The timing could not have been better. Just as Ian Garry fought his way into the top six and put himself within striking reach of UFC gold, Joaquin Buckley was right there—not in the cage, but on the sidelines in Kansas City, watching, waiting, and throwing shade. The two have been circling one another for nearly a year, but the most recent rankings shift speaks louder than any Instagram video or weigh-in encounter. ‘The Future’ didn’t simply leapfrog Buckley in the official rankings; he did it by winning on a night when ‘New Mansa’ did everything he could to be a part of the story — and still ended up second fiddle.

Buckley’s jibes were as loud as ever. In typical ‘New Mansa’ style, he didn’t wait for the dust to settle before throwing verbal elbows. He shared a video of the weigh-in interaction, describing it like a comedy routine and claiming that Garry’s wife used their child as a shield. “She gone use the baby as a shield, pass him off to him,” he mocked, before changing the scene to something stranger: “She comes over to me, caress my arm, and say, ‘Imma see you later on tonight.’” It was Buckley being Buckley: crass, loud, and determined to make everything about him. Then came his ringside footage during the final round, in which he stood up and shouted at Garry mid-fight, saying, “Boy, stop messing up! You’re making mistakes!”

He even warned Garry not to ruin their impending battle, saying, “We need Buck versus C— for our first PPV. Don’t f— it up, man.” It was half trolling, part self-promotion, and all of it was noise. Meanwhile, ‘The Future’ allowed his ranking to speak for itself. And it is the most significant shift, not just in terms of numbers, but also in narrative. Buckley’s voice was once the loudest, the agitator, a fighter on a hot streak vying for attention. But Ian Garry’s rise has shifted the spotlight. The Irishman did not require a viral callout or a brawl during weigh-ins. He only needed one clean performance, one ranking increase, and a confirmed backup position for a world title bout to tip the scales in his favor. Even as Buckley prepares for a marquee match against former champion Kamaru Usman, the shadow of ‘The Future’ lingers large. What do you think? Who will win between the two? Let us know in the comments.