Ian Machado Garry is never shy when it comes to giving bold takes, and ahead of UFC 322, the Irish welterweight contender has once again made headlines. With Jack Della Maddalena set to defend his welterweight title against former lightweight king Islam Makhachev in Madison Square Garden on November 15, Garry believes fans could witness a shocking outcome. In his view, the Australian champion has the tools — and the size — to do what no one has managed in nearly a decade: put Islam Makhachev to sleep.
Garry Breaks Down the Fight
Speaking to MMA Knockout on Sports Illustrated, Machado Garry highlighted the stylistic clash that makes this matchup so compelling. On paper, Makhachev is one of the most dominant fighters in UFC history — a 27-1 record, a nine-year unbeaten streak, and a reputation as the lightweight successor to Khabib Nurmagomedov. But moving up to 170 pounds brings new challenges, particularly against someone like Della Maddalena, who has made a career of dismantling opponents with precise, devastating boxing.
“I would want to be there,” Garry said. “Real time is different to TV. Again, stylistically, it’s a great fight. Islam’s phenomenal everywhere and he’s only getting better, but so is Jack. And I just feel like the size difference, JDM couldn’t physically make 155, and I genuinely believe he has the opportunity to go out here and knock Islam out.”
For Garry, the key factor is simple: size matters. Della Maddalena is a natural welterweight who has grown into his frame, while Makhachev is stepping up from lightweight, where he has dominated but always carried a strength advantage over smaller men. At 170, that comfort zone disappears.
Why Size Could Decide the Outcome
In MMA, the narrative around size and weight classes is constant. Fighters moving up often find themselves outmatched physically even if they remain technically superior. Makhachev’s grappling is his strongest weapon, but in a division filled with bigger men, securing takedowns and controlling top position won’t be as straightforward.
Della Maddalena’s striking, meanwhile, has been one of the most efficient in the UFC. His ability to land clean shots with minimal wasted motion has allowed him to climb to 18-2 overall and 8-0 inside the UFC. Against Makhachev, Garry sees that precision combined with size and power as the recipe for a knockout upset.
“He can sleep him,” Garry emphasized. “It’s not a disrespect to Islam — he’s phenomenal — but when you have someone who has that kind of size advantage and carries that kind of clean boxing power, you always have to respect the knockout.”
What’s at Stake at UFC 322
This fight is more than just a title defense. For Jack Della Maddalena, it’s a chance to validate himself as the new king at welterweight. The Australian has been flawless since entering the UFC, but beating a dominant champion like Makhachev would elevate his status from rising star to global superstar.
For Islam Makhachev, UFC 322 is legacy-defining. Already hailed as one of the best lightweights of all time, moving up successfully would put him in rare company among dual-division champions. A win would cement his status as one of the pound-for-pound best fighters alive. A loss, however, especially by knockout, could derail his aura of invincibility.
Garry’s Own Ambitions
Of course, Garry’s comments aren’t just about fight analysis. The Irishman is carefully positioning himself for a title shot of his own. At 16-1 overall with a 9-1 UFC record, Garry is on the cusp of contention. He last fought in April, defeating Carlos Prates in dominant fashion. Now, his eyes are locked on the very top of the welterweight rankings.
“The two people I want to fight right now are Sean Brady and Belal Muhammad,” Garry explained. “They’re No. 1 and No. 2 in the world. And a win over either of those guys, as I believe, cements me as the No. 1 contender and next for that belt.”
It’s no coincidence that Garry is analyzing UFC 322 so closely. Whoever wins between Della Maddalena and Makhachev could very well end up defending their belt against Garry in the near future. By voicing his belief in JDM, he’s not only stirring conversation but also inserting himself into the championship narrative.
How Fans and Analysts See It
The MMA community is divided on this matchup. On one hand, Makhachev’s dominance at lightweight is undeniable. His smothering grappling, his increasingly polished striking, and his ability to shut down elite fighters have made him one of the sport’s most feared champions. On the other, Della Maddalena’s rise has been electric, with many already dubbing him one of the best boxers in UFC history.
Some analysts agree with Garry, noting that size, distance management, and knockout power could tilt the fight in Della Maddalena’s favor. Others believe Makhachev’s fight IQ and relentless pressure will translate, regardless of weight class. Either way, the stakes make UFC 322 one of the most anticipated cards of the year.
The Bigger Picture
Whether Garry’s prediction comes true or not, his comments have only added more intrigue to a fight already brimming with storylines. Can Islam Makhachev extend his legendary run by conquering a second division? Or will Jack Della Maddalena announce himself as the next global MMA star by knocking out one of the sport’s most dominant forces?
For Garry, there’s only one answer: “He can sleep him.”
And if that prediction comes true, it may not be long before Ian Machado Garry himself steps into the cage to test the new king of the welterweight division.
