Discussion is ongoing about who should be Islam Makhachev's next opponent in the lightweight division. Ian Garry is being suggested as the first option due to existing conflict and media attention between the two fighters, followed by a potential bout with Joaquin Buckley. Both matchups are considered competitive and dangerous for Makhachev. The Garry fight would generate significant buzz both inside and outside the cage due to their ongoing rivalry. Shavkat Rakhmonov is mentioned as less compelling from a promotional standpoint despite his credentials. The post seeks fan input on the preferred order of opponents for the champion.
A debate has surfaced among MMA fans and analysts over who should challenge Islam Makhachev next, with Ian Garry and Joaquin Buckley emerging as the two names generating the most discussion heading into the next phase of the champion's reign.
Makhachev holds a 28-1-0 record and sits atop both the welterweight division and the pound-for-pound rankings at age 34. The Russian fighter out of Eagles MMA is a southpaw standing five-foot-ten with a 70-inch reach. He averages 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and connects at a 58 percent striking accuracy rate, making him one of the most complete fighters in the sport.
Garry is identified in the discussion as the preferred first matchup, largely because of an existing rivalry and the media heat the two have generated together. That personal conflict is seen as adding a layer of promotion that would drive significant attention both inside and outside the cage.
Buckley, ranked 11th in the welterweight division with a 21-8-0 record, is positioned as the follow-up option. The 32-year-old American out of Murcielago MMA is a southpaw who stands five-foot-ten with a 76-inch reach. He lands 3.88 significant strikes per minute, the highest volume of any fighter in this conversation, though his 36 percent striking accuracy reflects a high-output, pressure-based style that would test Makhachev in a different way than a wrestler or grappler might.
Shavkat Rakhmonov also comes up in the conversation. The undefeated Kazakh carries a 19-0-0 record, a 60 percent striking accuracy, and a well-rounded game that includes 1.2 submission attempts per 15 minutes. Despite those credentials, the discussion frames him as the less compelling promotional option at this stage.
Why it matters
- Makhachev's next title defense will shape the welterweight division's short-term landscape
- The Garry matchup carries built-in rivalry heat that could elevate the card's profile
- Buckley's aggressive southpaw style presents a distinct stylistic challenge for the champion
- Rakhmonov remains a credible contender but is seen as a harder sell to casual audiences
