UFC welterweight contender Ian Machado Garry says he’s open to facing Islam Makhachev if the lightweight champion moves up a division.
Makhachev has expressed interest in pursuing a second belt at welterweight. If that plan comes to fruition, a future title clash between Makhachev and current welterweight champion Belal Muhammad could be on the horizon. However, for now, Makhachev has put the move on hold, as he remains hesitant to fight his friend and teammate.
Regardless of who Makhachev faces if he makes the jump, Garry welcomes the challenge. He sees Makhachev as a serious threat to the division, someone capable of dominating many top contenders but Garry believes he has what it takes to go toe-to-toe with him.
“I think he’s an absolute disaster for everyone in the [welterweight] division if he comes up and doesn’t have to cut weight,” Garry said in a recent interview with CBS Sports’ Shakiel Mahjouri. “I would love to test myself against him.”
“He can jump the queue if he wants to he’s Islam Makhachev, the pound-for-pound number one. You’ve gotta give respect when respect is due,” Garry continued. “And if that man turns up and says, ‘I want to be next,’ I think everyone in the welterweight division gives the ‘okay.’ If you try to argue that, you don’t respect the greatest in the world.”
Garry went on to break down Makhachev’s game:
“He’s still going to be big, still going to be strong, and he’s the perfect example of the new evolution of fighters, great everywhere. You look at Khabib, and he was dominant in grappling. Islam is the same, probably even cleaner technically. Maybe not the same dog pressure Khabib had, but when you look at Islam on the feet, he can crack. He makes the welterweight division even more exciting. I have nothing but respect for the man. But I’m someone who wants to test himself against the best in the world, and I’d love to test myself against him.”
Despite Makhachev’s interest in moving up, recent rumors suggest he could face featherweight champion Ilia Topuria, who recently moved to the lightweight division. As of now, there’s no confirmed date for that potential matchup.
In the meantime, Ian Garry has his sights set on his upcoming bout with Carlos Prates before any potential showdown with Makhachev.
