Ilia Topuria stated he sees chances for Ian Garry in a potential matchup against Islam Makhachev, citing that Makhachev has been knocked out before in his career. Topuria explained that in the fighting business, everyone has chances, especially someone like Ian Garry. He added that Garry has accumulated considerable experience throughout his UFC career, and Topuria sees good chances for him in such a matchup. This represents Topuria's analysis of a potential future lightweight title fight.
Ilia Topuria has weighed in on a potential future matchup between Ian Garry and lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, saying he believes Garry would carry real chances in that fight due to Makhachev having been knocked out previously in his career.
Topuria, ranked number one pound-for-pound and holding a 17-1 record, made the remarks as part of a broader analysis of the lightweight title picture. The 29-year-old Spaniard, who competes at lightweight and is ranked second in the division, is himself one of the sport's most dangerous finishers, averaging 4.81 significant strikes per minute. He argued that in the fighting business everyone carries a chance, and pointed to Garry's accumulated UFC experience as a reason to take him seriously against anyone.
Makhachev, the reigning champion, carries a 28-1 record and has long been regarded as one of the most complete fighters in the sport. The 34-year-old Russian southpaw lands strikes at a 58 percent accuracy rate while also threatening consistently on the ground, averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and 1.1 submission attempts in the same span. That lone loss on his record is the detail Topuria pointed to when assessing Garry's prospects.
Why it matters
- Makhachev's single career defeat keeps the door open for challengers who can threaten him on the feet
- Topuria's standing as the number one pound-for-pound fighter gives his strategic observations added weight in the division
- A Garry title shot at lightweight would represent a significant crossover from the welterweight ranks, raising the stakes of any such matchup
