Ian Garry calls himself Islam Makhachev's most dangerous opponent

Ian Garry has declared himself the most dangerous fighter Islam Makhachev could step in with, making the bold claim as he prepares for his own shot at the champion.

Garry pointed to the recent shock losses suffered by Sean Strickland and Justin Gaethje as proof that elite champions can be toppled, and argued he brings a more complete skill set and more routes to victory than any challenger Makhachev has faced to date.

Makhachev, 34, enters the contest as the pound-for-pound number-one fighter in the sport, holding a 28-1-0 record and the welterweight title under the Eagles MMA banner. The Russian southpaw is defined by relentless grappling, averaging 3.2 takedowns per fifteen minutes alongside 1.1 submission attempts in the same span, while also posting a striking accuracy of 58 percent.

Strickland, 35, is the reigning middleweight champion out of Xtreme Couture, carrying a 31-7-0 record. The orthodox striker throws at a high volume, landing 6.04 significant strikes per minute, and the upset Garry referenced adds weight to his argument that established champions are not invulnerable.

Gaethje, 37, holds the lightweight title with a 28-5-0 record and is among the most aggressive forwards in the sport, landing 6.48 significant strikes per minute. His loss, like Strickland's, is the backdrop Garry is using to frame his own confidence.

Why it matters

• Makhachev's grappling dominance has neutralized most challengers, making Garry's claim of multiple paths to victory a direct statement about stylistic preparation
• Both Strickland and Gaethje's recent upsets signal that any champion is beatable, lending Garry's comments a credible strategic undertone
• A Garry victory would reshape the welterweight landscape around a new, young title holder