Ian Garry Says He Is Islam Makhachev's Most Dangerous Opponent

Ian Garry has publicly declared himself the most dangerous opponent Islam Makhachev has ever faced, making the bold claim ahead of their upcoming welterweight title fight.

Makhachev, 34, enters the contest as one of the most dominant champions in the sport, holding a 28-1-0 record and sitting atop the pound-for-pound rankings. The Russian southpaw, who trains out of Eagles MMA, has built his reputation on relentless grappling pressure, averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes. His striking accuracy of 58 percent is elite, and he lands 2.63 significant strikes per minute — numbers that reflect a calculated, efficient style rather than a high-volume one.

Garry pointed to recent championship upsets as proof that Makhachev is not untouchable. He cited Sean Strickland, the 35-year-old middleweight champion out of Xtreme Couture, who carries a 31-7-0 record and one of the highest striking outputs in the UFC at 6.04 significant strikes per minute. Garry also referenced Justin Gaethje, the 37-year-old lightweight champion with a 28-5-0 record, whose pressure-heavy style and 6.48 significant strikes landed per minute make him one of the most relentless forces in the division. Both men, Garry argued, demonstrate that established champions can be beaten when the right challenger brings the right approach.

Garry contended that his own well-rounded skill set gives him multiple paths to victory — a direct contrast to opponents who may rely on a single dimension.

Why it matters

• Makhachev's pound-for-pound status means a loss would reshape the divisional landscape entirely
• Garry's claim of versatility sets up a stylistic contrast against Makhachev's grappling-first identity
• The Strickland and Gaethje precedents add credibility to the upset narrative Garry is pushing