Ian Garry calls himself Islam Makhachev's most dangerous opponent ahead of title fight

Ian Garry has declared himself the most dangerous opponent Islam Makhachev has ever faced, making the bold claim publicly ahead of their upcoming UFC lightweight title fight.

Garry pointed to recent high-profile upsets in the UFC as evidence that no champion is unbeatable, citing middleweight champion Sean Strickland and lightweight champion Justin Gaethje as fighters who proved that point. He argued he brings more versatility than any challenger Makhachev has previously encountered, and that he sees multiple routes to victory where others have seen few.

Makhachev, 34, carries a 28-1-0 record and holds the top spot in the UFC pound-for-pound rankings. The Russian southpaw competes out of Eagles MMA and has built his dominance on a relentless grappling game, averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes. His striking accuracy of 58 percent reflects a disciplined, calculated approach on the feet.

Gaethje, 37, is a current lightweight champion with a 28-5-0 record who Garry referenced as an example of an upset performer. The American operates out of Genesis Training Center and is one of the most prolific strikers in the division, landing 6.48 significant strikes per minute. Strickland, 35, holds the middleweight title at 31-7-0 and similarly served as an inspiration for Garry's confidence, averaging an elite 6.04 significant strikes landed per minute from orthodox stance.

Why it matters

• Makhachev is the UFC's top pound-for-pound fighter, making any challenger's path extraordinarily difficult
• Garry's claim of being more well-rounded raises the question of whether his striking and movement can neutralize Makhachev's elite grappling volume
• Recent title-fight upsets across the organization give Garry's confidence at least a narrative foundation heading into the bout