Prates (100%), Rakhmonov (86%) and Morales (71%) all have higher finish rates than Machado Garry (33%) in the UFC, but he is confident of convincing matchmakers he deserves to be next.

“It’s about me being the best and most interesting,” added Machado Garry. “The guys did a great job last week, however, I am the deciding factor in what happens to the rest of the division.

“My entire goal this weekend is to go out there and leave it undoubted, and unquestionable and undeniable that Ian Machado Gary is the best welterweight walking the planet right now.”

After his win over Della Maddalena, Makhachev, 34, has called for a title fight with former champion Kamaru Usman.

The 38-year-old Nigerian, who beat Joaquin Edwards in June, is eighth in the welterweight rankings, one place above Edwards.

Machado Garry argues the division has moved on, and Makhachev should be targeting younger fighters like himself, Prates and Morales rather than “has-beens”.

“If I were Islam I’d want to fight Usman too, because it’s an easy fight, an easy pay cheque and a first title defence,” he added.

“That, for me, is a cop-out. Fight one of the up and comers, guys that are hungry, that have not felt like what it’s like to be a champion, that are driven to achieve their dreams.”