Is Ian Garry’s Three-Fight Plan the Key to His UFC Breakthrough?
Ian Machado Garry is one of the brightest up-and-coming talents in the Welterweight Division. He is coming off an impressive decision victory over Carlos Prates last Saturday at UFC Fight Night: Ian Machado Garry vs. Carlos Prates in Kansas City. After his victory, he broke down his three-fight plan that he has in place that will get him to the legendary status he is seeking. The first fight will be for the Welterweight Championship against whom he figures to be, Belal Muhammad. The second fight will be against PFP number one and current Lightweight Champion, Islam Makhachev. The last fight will be a rematch to avenge the only loss in his career against Shavkat Rakhmonov. I will break down each fight and how I see them playing out for “The Future.”
Ian Machado Garry vs. Belal Muhammad
Belal Muhammad has been frequently thought of as a relatively boring fighter with limited finishing ability. However, since his climb to becoming champion, he has shown improvements in his boxing and a pressure that will wear down anyone. Ian Garry is extremely good at controlling distance and his opponents' range. If he can circle away from Belal’s shots and pick him apart on the outside, I can see a world where Garry picks up the decision victory. He doesn’t have to worry about anything heavy coming back in his direction, like he had to against Shavkat. If Belal can get the fight to the ground, he is going to have to do more than just lie on him and try and wear him down so his movement is compromised. I don’t see Belal being able to consistently take Garry down unless he lands something that earns respect. If Belal is still champion, I think that’s the best matchup for Garry to win the Welterweight Title.
Ian Machado Garry vs. Islam Makhachev
Islam Makhachev is the pound-for-pound number one fighter in the entire UFC and has been one of the most dominant champions we have ever seen. As time has gone on, his striking has caught up with his relentless wrestling and grappling abilities. If he decides to move up when Garry is champion, I think that’s his easiest path to being a double champion. Garry doesn’t usually deal well with guys who hit hard; he normally becomes a wrestler if they aren’t aggressive. Islam is going to be able to walk him down and eventually land a takedown, where it is usually very difficult to get back up. Garry’s cardio has seemed to be an issue, however, those fights were on short notice, so there are still questions on whether it will be better on a full fight camp. If at any point in the fight he starts to slow down, Islam will be able to finish him quite easily.
Ian Machado Garry vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov
This is a rematch I’m not sure many fans would like to be run back as the first encounter was lackluster and uneventful. Shavkat, leading up to that fight, was a finisher who could end any fight wherever it played out. He had a hard time getting his striking going in that fight, and his wrestling was more stalling than finishing. Garry took the fight on short notice, and Shavkat was dealing with an injury, apparently, so maybe if they're both at 100% percent the fight will play out differently. Shavkat’s striking is far from polished, and he doesn’t throw many effective combinations, but he does have serious power in his hands. He is always pushing forward and looking to finish, and he was able to cut Garry off better than anyone has in his career. If this fight does get run back, I think it could play out differently with Garry picking him apart on the outside and not allowing him to put his back up against the fence. When Shavkat does get healthy and fights again, we will see if it was truly an injury or if the top of the division is too much for the “Nomad.” I think this is the best possible match for the 27-year-old if he wins the Welterweight Championship in the division, as opposed to guys like Sean Brady and Joaquin Buckley.
