Ian Garry says he is Islam Makhachev's most dangerous opponent

Ian Garry has staked his claim as the most dangerous man Islam Makhachev has ever faced, drawing confidence from a pair of recent championship upsets as he prepares to challenge the lightweight king.

Garry pointed to the title-fight victories of Sean Strickland and Justin Gaethje as evidence that elite champions can be dethroned by opponents willing to take unconventional approaches. The Irishman argued he brings more ways to win than any previous challenger Makhachev has encountered, describing himself as the most well-rounded threat the champion has yet faced.

Makhachev enters the fight as the reigning lightweight champion and the top pound-for-pound fighter in the world, carrying a 28-1-0 record at 34 years old. The Russian southpaw is among the most efficient grapplers in the sport, averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes, while also connecting on 58 percent of his significant strikes.

The two champions Garry cited as inspiration are no strangers to high-level competition. Strickland, 35, holds a 31-7-0 middleweight record and lands an extraordinary 6.04 significant strikes per minute at 42 percent accuracy, fighting out of Xtreme Couture. Gaethje, 37, carries a 28-5-0 record and leads all three men in output at 6.48 significant strikes per minute, matching Makhachev's 58 percent striking accuracy while fighting out of Genesis Training Center.

Why it matters

• Makhachev's grappling dominance has neutralized most challengers, making Garry's claim of being more well-rounded a direct challenge to the champion's clearest strength
• The recent upsets Garry referenced signal that divisional rankings and reputation offer no guarantees in championship fights
• If Garry can establish range and prevent takedowns, the stylistic contrast between his approach and Makhachev's grappling-heavy game sets up a compelling tactical battle