Ian Machado Garry faced Belal Muhammad in the co-main event of UFC Fight Night 265: Tsarukyan vs. Hooker on November 22, 2025, at the Ali Bin Hamad al-Attiyah Arena in Al Rayyan, Qatar. In a high-stakes welterweight clash between two top contenders, Garry delivered one of the most disciplined performances of his UFC career, earning a unanimous decision victory after three tactical rounds.
The opening round was a battle of styles. Muhammad immediately looked to pressure forward behind his jab and level-change feints, attempting to back Garry toward the fence where he could initiate his trademark wrestling. Garry, however, maintained excellent footwork, circling constantly while peppering Muhammad with long jabs, calf kicks, and quick straight rights. Early in the round, an accidental eye poke briefly halted the action as Muhammad took time to recover before continuing. Once the fight resumed, Garry’s takedown defense proved outstanding, stuffing Muhammad’s first several shots and forcing the former champion to strike far more than he preferred. Garry’s speed and movement allowed him to land the cleaner punches throughout the round while avoiding prolonged grappling exchanges.
The second round followed a similar pattern but with Muhammad increasing his urgency. He pressed forward behind combinations before repeatedly shooting for double-leg takedowns. Garry anticipated nearly every attempt, widening his base, fighting off underhooks, and separating before Muhammad could establish control. Another brief pause occurred after accidental contact to Muhammad’s eye, adding controversy to an otherwise competitive contest. Between exchanges, Garry consistently landed sharp counter right hands, body kicks, and stabbing front kicks that disrupted Muhammad’s rhythm. Although Muhammad enjoyed moments of forward pressure, Garry’s superior accuracy and defensive awareness enabled him to dictate the striking exchanges.
Entering the final round, Muhammad needed a strong finish and pushed an even faster pace. He marched forward relentlessly, mixing punches with desperate takedown attempts, but Garry remained composed. Every successful defensive sequence was followed by crisp counters, with Garry repeatedly intercepting Muhammad using straight punches as the former champion advanced. When Muhammad managed to clinch against the fence, Garry quickly reversed position or disengaged before significant control time accumulated. His ability to maintain distance frustrated Muhammad throughout the closing minutes, while his superior striking output continued to impress the judges.
After fifteen minutes, the scorecards were read in Garry’s favor, awarding him a unanimous decision victory. The fight showcased Garry’s evolution into a complete mixed martial artist, combining elite takedown defense with precise kickboxing and intelligent movement to neutralize one of the division’s most accomplished wrestlers. Muhammad displayed his trademark toughness and relentless pressure but struggled to consistently implement his grappling-heavy game plan against Garry’s disciplined defense.
The victory elevated Garry into the very top tier of the welterweight division and strengthened his case for another run toward UFC championship contention. For Muhammad, the loss marked another setback following the end of his title reign, as Garry’s speed, defensive wrestling, and technical striking proved decisive over three competitive rounds.