Ian Garry calls himself Islam Makhachev's most dangerous opponent

Ian Garry has made his boldest claim yet ahead of his upcoming fight with lightweight champion Islam Makhachev, declaring himself the most dangerous opponent the Russian has ever faced.

Speaking publicly ahead of the contest, the Irish welterweight-turned-challenger pointed to recent high-profile upsets in the sport as motivation, specifically referencing the shocking defeats of Sean Strickland and Justin Gaethje as proof that no champion is untouchable. Garry argued that he brings a more complete skill set to the cage than any fighter Makhachev has previously encountered, and that he possesses more paths to victory than those opponents could offer.

Makhachev enters the fight as the pound-for-pound number one fighter in the world, holding a 28-1 record and reigning as champion in the welterweight division. The 34-year-old Russian, who trains out of Eagles MMA, is a suffocating grappler who averages 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and attempts 1.1 submissions per 15 minutes. He also connects at a 58 percent striking accuracy rate, making him dangerous whether the fight stays on the feet or hits the mat.

The opponents Garry cited as inspiration have their own credentials. Strickland, 35, is the reigning middleweight champion with a 31-7 record and a relentless output of 6.04 significant strikes per minute. Gaethje, 37, holds the lightweight title at 28-5 and is one of the most prolific strikers in the sport at 6.48 significant strikes per minute, matching Makhachev's 58 percent striking accuracy.

Why it matters

• Makhachev holds the pound-for-pound top spot, making any challenger's path to glory exceptionally steep
• Garry's claim of being more well-rounded directly targets Makhachev's reputation for exposing one-dimensional opponents
• The grappling versus striking dynamic sets up a compelling style clash between two fighters with contrasting statistical profiles