Ian Garry sees Sean Strickland as blueprint for Islam Makhachev upset

Ian Garry is convinced Sean Strickland handed him the blueprint for dethroning Islam Makhachev when the Irishman challenges for the UFC welterweight title next month.

Garry, who meets Makhachev in the UFC 330 main event at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia on Aug. 15, pointed to Strickland's upset of the previously unbeaten Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328 as proof that long-shot title challengers can deliver. "If people think when Sean Strickland goes out and beats Khamzat Chimaev and upsets the apple cart, and no one expected, no one can sit here and think that it's impossible that I can beat Islam Makhachev," Garry told Paul Browne, per Sherdog.

Why Garry believes he's a worse matchup than Strickland

The challenger insisted he poses more problems than Strickland brought to the octagon against Chimaev. "If anything, I'm a far more dangerous threat. I'm far more complete and I have way, way, way more ways of winning that fight," Garry said. He credited his mindset, vision, and fight IQ as natural advantages the champion will struggle to handle.

Garry enters the bout 17-1 and riding back-to-back decision wins over former champion Belal Muhammad and Carlos Prates. Makhachev claimed the 170-pound strap by stopping Jack Della Maddalena and now hunts Anderson Silva's record for consecutive UFC victories.

The Aug. 15 card marks the third straight numbered event to close with a major upset, a streak Garry plans to extend in front of a hostile Philadelphia crowd.

Reported via:

• Sherdog — Ian Garry sees Sean Strickland as blueprint for beating Islam Makhachev