Ilia Topuria stated that Ian Garry has chances against Islam Makhachev, pointing out that Islam has been knocked out before in his career. Topuria emphasized that this is the fight business and everyone has a chance, especially someone with Garry's level of experience accumulated in the UFC. He believes Garry has accumulated significant experience throughout his UFC career and sees multiple opportunities for him in a potential matchup. Topuria's comments suggest he views Garry as a credible threat despite Makhachev's dominant championship reign.
Ilia Topuria has gone on record backing Ian Garry as a legitimate threat to welterweight champion Islam Makhachev, pointing to a knockout loss in Makhachev's past as evidence that no fighter is invulnerable.
Topuria, ranked number one pound-for-pound and currently sitting second in the lightweight division with a 17-1 record, argued that the fight business gives every competitor a chance. The 29-year-old Spaniard said Garry has built meaningful experience across his UFC career and that he sees multiple avenues for Garry to hurt Makhachev if the two were to meet. Topuria himself lands 4.81 significant strikes per minute and carries a reputation as one of the sport's most dangerous finishers, so his read on knockout vulnerability carries some weight.
Makhachev enters any conversation as the reigning welterweight champion with a 28-1 record. The 34-year-old Russian trains out of Eagles MMA and has developed into one of the most complete fighters in the sport, averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and landing strikes at a 58 percent accuracy rate. His one professional loss, which Topuria referenced, came by knockout earlier in his career — a detail that Topuria clearly views as relevant when projecting future matchups.
Why it matters
- Topuria's comments position Garry as a credible welterweight title contender in public discourse
- Makhachev's lone career loss being a KO gives opponents and analysts a specific gameplan reference point
- A Garry challenge to Makhachev would carry significant divisional stakes at 170 pounds
- Topuria's pound-for-pound standing lends his assessment more visibility than typical fighter commentary
