Ian Machado Garry says that the UFC welterweight division is a young man’s domain.

The Irishman, who is in Montreal this week to serve as the backup fighter to the UFC 315 170-pound title fight between Belal Muhammad and Jack Della Maddalena, rebounded from his first career loss to Shavkat Rakhmonov late last year by handing Carlos Prates his first UFC defeat in Kansas City less than two weeks ago.

And as he continues his ascent up the welterweight ladder, Garry says that it is time for the old guard to step aside.

“I think Usman should be retired already,” he told reporters, including The Mac Life, in Montreal on Wednesday. “He’s only in this to get a paycheck.”

Former welterweight champion Usman, now 37, was once the pacesetter at 170-pounds but has now lost three straight fights in the division — two to Leon Edwards and one to Khamzat Chimaev.

The American returns to the cage in June where he will fight the 31-year-old Joaquin Buckley, a winner of six straight fights as he enters career-best form.

“I think Joaquin Buckley is gonna run through him,” Garry added of the ex-champ.

As for Garry himself, it remains to be seen if — or when — he will receive his first title opportunity (if it doesn’t happen on Saturday night, that is) but as far as he is concerned, it is simply a matter of time.

“I’ve said it since day one,” Garry reiterated. “I’m going to be world champion. It’s inevitable. I’m going to get that belt wrapped around my waist by any means necessary — and this weekend could be the UFC’s biggest heist ever.”