Michael Chiesa offered a blunt assessment of Islam Makhachev's advantages over Ian Machado Garry, stating the champion is simply superior in every area. Chiesa's comments underline the wide gap many analysts see between the two welterweight and lightweight standouts.
Michael Chiesa delivered a pointed verdict on how Islam Makhachev measures up against Ian Machado Garry, declaring the welterweight champion simply better in every area of the sport.
Chiesa, a 38-year-old veteran carrying a 20-7 professional record, is no stranger to the welterweight division and has competed against elite-level opposition throughout his career. Known as "Maverick," the southpaw out of the United States trains with Sikjitsu and brings a grappling-heavy approach to his analysis, averaging over three takedowns per fifteen minutes across his career. His assessment of Makhachev carries the weight of someone who understands what championship-level wrestling and submission work looks like up close.
Makhachev, 34, from Russia and training with Eagles MMA, holds a 28-1 record and currently sits atop both the welterweight division and the pound-for-pound rankings. The southpaw champion stands five-foot-ten with a 70-inch reach and is among the most efficient fighters in the sport, landing significant strikes at a 58 percent accuracy rate while also threatening with 3.2 takedowns and 1.1 submission attempts per fifteen minutes.
Garry, nicknamed "The Future," enters the conversation as the division's number-one ranked contender with a 17-1 record at just 28 years old. The orthodox striker stands six-foot-three with a 74-inch reach and generates an impressive 4.78 significant strikes per minute, though his takedown and submission numbers trail Makhachev considerably.
Why it matters
- Chiesa's comments highlight a perceived skill gap between the champion and the division's top contender
- Makhachev's grappling and submission output dwarfs Garry's, potentially neutralizing the challenger's striking volume advantage
- A matchup between the two would pit Garry's reach and striking output against Makhachev's all-around dominance and championship experience
