Ian Garry Targets Fourth-Round Finish Over Islam Makhachev

Ian Garry has laid out a bold and specific blueprint for his upcoming welterweight title fight against Islam Makhachev, revealing he wants to dominate for four rounds before calling his shot and finishing the champion in the fourth.

Garry made his intentions clear in a recent interview, stating he plans to announce the finish to the crowd before executing it — a level of confidence that signals he is approaching the bout without any intention of playing it safe. He also vowed to "take his head off," leaving little ambiguity about how he envisions the night ending.

Standing across from him will be Islam Makhachev, the reigning welterweight champion and the top pound-for-pound fighter in the world. The 34-year-old Russian, who trains out of Eagles MMA, carries a record of 28-1-0 and has established himself as one of the most complete fighters in the sport. Fighting out of a southpaw stance with a reach of 70 inches, Makhachev blends elite grappling with underrated striking, averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and landing significant strikes at a 58 percent accuracy clip. He also generates consistent submission threats, averaging 1.1 attempts per 15 minutes.

Why it matters

• Makhachev holds the welterweight title and the top pound-for-pound ranking, making this among the highest-stakes bouts possible in the division.
• Garry's stated game plan — sustained control followed by a declared finish — sets up a direct stylistic clash with a champion renowned for smothering opponents and dictating pace through the grappling.
• A four-round war suits Makhachev's attrition-based style, which raises questions about whether Garry's blueprint carries deliberate psychological intent or reflects genuine confidence in his conditioning and takedown defense.