If Ian Machado Garry is set to face Islam Makhachev next, Javier Mendez expresses serious doubts about Garry’s ability to withstand Makhachev’s dominance on the mat. Despite Garry’s skills in striking, Mendez believes that Makhachev’s ground control will be overwhelming. This concern centers on Makhachev’s well-established reputation for ground dominance within the UFC welterweight division.
Background on Makhachev’s Reign and Potential Opponents
Islam Makhachev became the UFC Welterweight Champion in November 2025, following a decisive victory against Jack Della Maddalena that confirmed his elite status. While Makhachev shows openness to a bout with former champion Kamaru Usman, a growing group of contenders like Ian Garry is pushing for their chance at the title, elevating the stakes for upcoming matchups.
Mendez’s Perspective on Garry’s Tactical Strengths and Vulnerabilities
On Submission Radio, Mendez elaborated on why he doubts Garry’s chances when the fight moves to the ground. He acknowledged Garry’s effectiveness in stand-up exchanges due to his reach and unpredictability but stressed the critical weakness below the surface. Mendez stated,
“He does well with Islam on the standup because he’s rangy, he’s tricky, all those,”
continuing,
“But on the ground, he doesn’t. He does OK, but he doesn’t survive on the ground, I don’t think. He might survive five rounds, but he won’t get the best of Islam on the ground. I’m 100 percent sure about that.”
Mendez further pointed out Garry’s decent but insufficient takedown defense:
“In the standup, he’s pretty tricky, so one kick, one punch, one knee can change everything. The takedown defense that he has is decent, but not great enough to stop Islam from taking him down.”
Garry’s Recent Performances and Career Overview
Ian Garry recently secured a unanimous decision win over former welterweight titleholder Belal Muhammad, reinforcing his position as a serious contender. Known as The Future, Garry has only suffered one professional loss, which came against Shavkat Rakhmonov. In addition, Garry holds notable victories over fighters like Carlos Prates and Michael Page, demonstrating his rising trajectory in the UFC ranks.
Makhachev’s Legacy and Next Steps in the Octagon
Islam Makhachev is widely regarded as a future UFC Hall of Famer, intent on strengthening his legacy before eventually stepping back from competition. While the UFC has yet to announce the timing or opponent for his next bout, fans and analysts alike remain eager to see how Makhachev’s career unfolds. Updates on his next fight will be monitored closely by the MMA community.
