Mendez Calls Garry Makhachev's Toughest Fight After 17th Straight UFC Win

Q: Why does Javier Mendez believe Garry, despite losing, gave Islam Makhachev a tougher test than Alexander Volkanovski?

Javier Mendez believes Ian Machado Garry was a tougher test for Islam Makhachev than Alexander Volkanovski because, in his view, Garry was difficult “all the way through” the fight, not just in a brief stretch. Mendez said Volkanovski gave Makhachev major problems in one round of their first fight, but he felt Garry stayed competitive across the full five rounds at UFC 330. That sustained resistance mattered more to him than a single dramatic moment. He told Submission Radio that from his perspective, Garry was “our toughest challenge” because he remained tough and effective throughout the entire bout. The fight details support that view. Garry defended takedowns and submission attempts better than many previous Makhachev opponents, forced the champion to work hard deep into the fight, and was still competitive after being dropped by a head kick in the second round. Reports from the event noted that Garry came on in the middle rounds, appeared fresher late, and left visible damage on Makhachev. Mendez also linked that performance to Garry’s unusually calm pre-fight behavior. While others saw the friendliness as a sign of softness, Mendez thought it may have helped Garry stay relaxed, focused, and in rhythm, which in turn made him a more dangerous opponent. So, despite the loss, Mendez rates Garry above Volkanovski as a challenge because Garry consistently pushed Makhachev over the full fight rather than threatening him mainly in one round.

2 articles · Updated · Bloody Elbow · Aug 18

Javier Mendez said Ian Machado Garry was Islam Makhachev’s toughest career opponent after Saturday’s five-round unanimous-decision win at UFC 330 in Philadelphia.
Mendez broke with Makhachev’s own view that Alexander Volkanovski was the harder test, arguing Garry pushed the champion through all five rounds rather than one intense stretch.
Garry slightly outstruck the 34-year-old champion and left visible damage to his face and body, even though Makhachev retained his welterweight title in his first defense.
The victory extended Makhachev’s UFC winning streak to 17, breaking Anderson Silva’s 14-year mark, with Carlos Prates emerging as a likely next challenger as Makhachev says he must fix two issues.