Javier Mendez: Ian Garry Is the Biggest Threat to Islam Makhachev

AKA head coach Javier Mendez has singled out Ian Garry as the single greatest threat to Islam Makhachev's welterweight title reign, ranking him as a more dangerous challenger than both Michael Morales and Carlos Prates.

Makhachev, 34, is the reigning welterweight champion out of Russia, currently carrying a 28-1 record and sitting atop the pound-for-pound rankings. Training out of Eagles MMA, the southpaw champion lands 2.63 significant strikes per minute at a remarkable 58 percent accuracy, and adds relentless wrestling pressure at 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes. Mendez made clear the camp has no intention of taking Garry lightly.

Morales, 27, enters the conversation as the division's third-ranked contender with a perfect 19-0 record representing Ecuador. The six-foot orthodox striker lands a staggering 5.62 significant strikes per minute, though his accuracy sits at 49 percent across a 79-inch reach. Prates, the Brazilian ranked second at welterweight, carries a 24-7 record and operates as a switch-stance striker standing six-foot-one with a 78-inch reach. He generates 3.77 significant strikes per minute but offers almost no grappling threat, averaging just 0.21 takedowns per 15 minutes.

Despite those numbers, Mendez placed Garry above both men when assessing threats to the champion, describing him as more well-rounded than either contender.

Why it matters

• Mendez's public ranking of threats signals how AKA is prioritizing preparation against specific stylistic challenges.
• Garry's perceived all-around game may present problems that a pure striker like Morales or Prates does not.
• The assessment adds fuel to an already crowded welterweight title picture, with multiple high-profile contenders vying for position.