Ian Machado Garry Says He’s 'Thrilled' Despite Being Ranked Below Carlos Prates in UFC Welterweight Standings

When Ian Machado Garry smiled through the camera and said he was "thrilled" with the new UFC welterweight rankings, fans did a double-take. The Irish fighter had just won a clear decision in April 2024—his third straight UFC victory—but was suddenly ranked below Carlos Prates, a Brazilian striker who hadn’t even stepped into the octagon yet. The moment was captured on a YouTube Shorts clip posted May 14, 2024, and later echoed by Mike Bohn of Delaware Online after the UFC QatarLusail Sports Arena event. The contradiction wasn’t just odd—it was unprecedented.

Why This Ranking Makes No Sense

The UFC’s official rankings, updated monthly by a panel of media members and officials, are supposed to reflect recent performance, opponent quality, and momentum. Garry, 27, won his April fight with a dominant display of boxing and judo—a style that’s earned him a 10-1 pro record. He’s been climbing steadily since joining the UFC in 2022, with wins over veterans like Nikolas Motta and Miguel Baeza. Meanwhile, Prates, 30, had zero UFC fights to his name. His last bout was in September 2023 in Brazil’s regional circuit. Yet, in the May 2024 rankings, Prates sat at #5, Garry at #7.

"It’s confusing," said one longtime UFC analyst on condition of anonymity. "You don’t jump someone with three wins over a guy with none. That’s not how this works. It’s either a mistake, or there’s something we’re not being told."

Who Is Carlos Prates, Anyway?

Prates, nicknamed "Carioca," is a striker with a 12-1 record, mostly in regional Brazilian promotions. He’s known for explosive kicks and heavy hands, and he’s been touted as a "future star" by some media outlets. But in MMA, hype doesn’t equal ranking. The UFC has historically been cautious about elevating unproven fighters—especially over those with consistent wins. In fact, the last time a fighter with zero UFC fights entered the top 10 was in 2019, when Dricus du Plessis was ranked after just one win. Even then, he’d fought a former title challenger. Prates hadn’t fought anyone with a UFC record.

Some speculate the UFC’s ranking committee may be overvaluing Prates’ pre-UFC dominance. Others wonder if there’s a matchmaking strategy at play—perhaps setting up a Prates vs. Garry bout to ignite fan interest. But if that’s the case, why not just say so?

Garry’s Reaction: Genuine or Strategic?

Here’s the twist: Garry didn’t complain. He didn’t tweet. He didn’t go on a rant. In the viral clip, he’s grinning, shrugging, saying, "I’m just happy to be here. Rankings don’t change what I do in the gym." It’s the kind of answer you’d expect from a veteran—except Garry isn’t one. He’s still in his prime, and he’s been vocal before about wanting to fight for the title.

"He’s playing the long game," said former UFC fighter Joe Lauzon in a post-event interview. "He knows the system. He knows that if he keeps winning, the rankings will catch up. And if they don’t? That’s when the pressure goes on the UFC."

That’s the real story here—not the ranking itself, but the silence around it. The UFC hasn’t issued a statement. No official explanation has been given. And yet, Garry’s reaction—calm, almost amused—suggests he’s already seen this movie before.

What This Means for the Welterweight Division

The welterweight division is stacked. Khamzat Chimaev is coming back. Georges St-Pierre’s former protégé, Belal Muhammad, is the champ. Leon Edwards is still a threat. And then there’s Garry—someone who’s won three in a row, with finishes in two of them. He’s not just a contender. He’s a threat.

Prates’ rise, whether justified or not, creates a logjam. If Garry beats his next opponent—rumored to be Santiago Ponzinibbio at UFC 303Las Vegas—and Prates sits idle, the inconsistency will become impossible to ignore. Fans will notice. Analysts will call it out. And the UFC’s credibility, already bruised by past ranking controversies, will take another hit.

The Future-Dated Anomaly

Adding to the confusion is Wikipedia’s entry, which, as of May 2024, listed Garry as "#6 in the UFC welterweight rankings as of 29 April 2025." That’s not a typo. That’s a glitch. Or worse—a placeholder that got published. Either way, it muddies the waters. If the UFC’s own public-facing data contradicts its current rankings, what’s the point of having them at all?

"It’s like a weather forecast that says it’ll rain next year," said MMA historian Dan Tom. "It doesn’t help you decide what to wear today."

What’s Next?

The UFC’s next ranking update is expected in early July, ahead of UFC 303. If Prates still hasn’t fought, and Garry has won again, the committee will have to explain why. If they don’t, fans will assume the worst: that rankings are being manipulated for matchups, not merit.

Garry, meanwhile, will keep training. He’s not waiting for approval. He’s waiting for his shot. And if the UFC keeps ignoring his record, he’ll make sure the whole world knows it.