Ian Garry has drawn inspiration from the recent upsets of Sean Strickland and Justin Gaethje ahead of his fight with Islam Makhachev. Garry stated he is a more well-rounded fighter with more ways to win and declared himself the most dangerous opponent Makhachev has ever faced.
Ian Garry has set his sights on Islam Makhachev's welterweight throne, declaring himself the most dangerous challenger the Russian champion has ever encountered ahead of their upcoming fight.
Garry pointed to the recent stunning upsets of Sean Strickland and Justin Gaethje as fuel for his belief that elite champions are not untouchable. He argued that he brings a more complete skill set than any previous Makhachev opponent, with more paths to victory available to him inside the cage.
Makhachev holds a 28-1 record and currently sits atop the pound-for-pound rankings as welterweight champion. The 34-year-old from Russia trains out of Eagles MMA and is one of the most complete grapplers in the sport, averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes. He also posts a striking accuracy of 58 percent, making him dangerous on the feet as well as on the canvas.
Strickland, the 35-year-old Xtreme Couture product who now holds the middleweight title at 31-7, is one of the champions Garry referenced as evidence that the sport's biggest names can be dethroned. His output of 6.04 significant strikes landed per minute makes him a relentless pressure fighter. Gaethje, at 37 years old and now holding the lightweight title with a 28-5 record, is another Garry cited, averaging an eye-catching 6.48 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy.
Why it matters
- Garry's confidence signals he intends to compete in all areas, including Makhachev's elite grappling game
- Makhachev's pound-for-pound status means a loss would send shockwaves through the entire welterweight division
- Recent high-profile upsets across multiple weight classes have made arguments like Garry's more credible heading into title fights
