Ian Garry says he is the most dangerous opponent Islam Makhachev has ever faced

Ian Garry has staked a bold claim ahead of his upcoming clash with Islam Makhachev, insisting he represents the most dangerous challenge the welterweight champion has ever encountered.

Makhachev, 34, enters the fight as the reigning welterweight champion and the top-ranked pound-for-pound fighter in the sport. The Russian carries a 28-1-0 record and is widely regarded as one of the most complete fighters in MMA. His grappling is the centerpiece of his game, averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes, while his striking accuracy sits at an elite 58 percent.

Garry argues he brings a more varied and unpredictable skillset to the table than any previous challenger Makhachev has faced. The Irishman pointed to recent high-profile upsets as evidence that dominant champions are not untouchable, citing Sean Strickland and Justin Gaethje as fighters who proved that point. Strickland, now 35, holds a 31-7-0 record and currently reigns as middleweight champion, his own title reign a product of one of MMA's more stunning upsets. Gaethje, 37, carries a 28-5-0 record and holds lightweight gold, another champion whose rise involved defeating opponents many considered unbeatable.

Garry's message was clear: those precedents matter, and he believes he is better equipped than any past Makhachev opponent to exploit weaknesses and find multiple paths to victory.

Why it matters

• Makhachev's near-flawless record and pound-for-pound ranking make any credible challenger a major divisional event
• Garry invoking Strickland and Gaethje signals he is studying blueprint upsets rather than approaching the fight defensively
• A fighter with diverse offensive tools could pose a stylistic test for a champion whose opponents have historically struggled to keep the fight standing