Ian Machado Garry believes a victory over Islam Makhachev at UFC 330 would make him the new No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world.
Garry (17-1 MMA, 10-1 UFC) is set to challenge Makhachev (28-1 MMA, 17-1 UFC) for the UFC welterweight championship in the main event of UFC 330 at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia on August 15.
Makhachev moved up to welterweight after vacating his lightweight title last year, capturing the 170-pound championship and extending his winning streak to a UFC-record 16 consecutive victories. Widely regarded as the sport's top pound-for-pound fighter, the reigning champion has established himself as one of the most dominant competitors in MMA.
Appearing on The Ariel Helwani Show on Monday, Garry praised Makhachev's accomplishments while making it clear that defeating him is the ultimate goal.
"I have nothing but respect for him. I think he's absolutely cemented himself as the best fighter on the planet right now. And until he's beaten, he holds that. He holds that status. What he's done in his career and over the last decade in sport has been second to none. A two-weight world champion, pound-for-pound number one, and on the verge of breaking the longest consecutive win streak in UFC history, it's nothing but exceptional."
Despite his admiration for Makhachev, Garry believes beating the champion would remove any doubt about his own place atop the sport.
"However, I've always said to you from the first time you spoke—well before I was in the UFC—To be the best, you have to be the best. There is nobody else I would want to beat to prove that I'm the champion of the world. There was nobody else I'm more excited to fight and test myself against than this dominance in Islam Makhachev."
"He's earned that title as the pound-for-pound champion, the pound-for-pound number one on the planet right now. That's the guy I want to take out to make sure that it's undeniable. When I beat him, I'm the best welterweight on the planet, and arguably the number one pound-for-pound fighter on the planet."
A victory over Makhachev would mark the biggest win of Garry's career and potentially reshape the UFC's pound-for-pound rankings while crowning a new welterweight champion.
