Why Ian Garry Could Beat Belal Muhammad

Ian Garry vs Belal Muhammad is one of the most talked-about potential matchups in the UFC welterweight division right now.

Both fighters are ranked, both have momentum behind their names, and both bring contrasting styles that make this matchup extremely intriguing for fans.

But when you look closely at the skill set, recent performances, adaptability, and the overall trend of their careers, there are strong reasons why Ian Garry could be the favorite to beat Belal Muhammad.

Garry has quickly evolved from a hyped prospect to a legitimate contender.

His ability to shut down elite strikers, survive against elite grapplers, take short-notice fights, and keep improving every time he steps into the cage makes him dangerous for anyone even someone as experienced as Belal Muhammad.

Meanwhile, Belal, a former welterweight champion, is coming off a poor performance and has seen cracks in his game recently.

Ian Garry’s Versatility Makes Him a Serious Threat

One of the strongest reasons Ian Garry can defeat Belal Muhammad is his complete, well-rounded skill set.

Unlike many rising fighters who depend heavily on one discipline, Garry has shown that he can strike, wrestle, grapple, and manage distance with high fight IQ.

Striking Advantage: Garry Outclassed Michael “Venom” Page

When Garry fought Michael Venom Page (MVP), most fans expected a striking clinic from MVP.

Instead, Garry surprised everyone by outstriking one of the trickiest strikers in MMA. He controlled the range, managed the rhythm, and countered MVP’s movement with precision.

This fight proved:

• Garry can handle elite-level striking
• He can neutralize unorthodox styles
• His defensive awareness is extremely sharp

If he can outstrike MVP, he absolutely has the tools to deal with Belal’s more fundamental and predictable stand-up approach.

Underrated Wrestling: Garry Competed Well Against Shavkat Rakhmonov

Shavkat Rakhmonov is one of the most feared grapplers and finishers in the division.

Many expected Garry to get dominated on the ground. Instead, the fight was competitive, and Garry survived multiple difficult positions while defending intelligently.

Even though Garry lost, he showed:

• He can wrestle at the highest level
• He can scramble out of danger
• He does not mentally break under pressure

Belal Muhammad’s wrestling is fundamentally solid, but he is nowhere near the level of Shavkat’s submission threat.

If Garry could survive and compete against Shavkat, he can absolutely deal with Belal’s more basic wrestling approach.

Well-Rounded Jiu-Jitsu

Garry’s jiu-jitsu has also grown tremendously. He threatens submissions from his back, uses defensive sweeps, and maintains awareness in transitions.

This makes him much harder to control than most fighters Belal has dominated with top pressure.

Ian Garry Performs Extremely Well on Short Notice

One underrated aspect of Garry’s career is his ability to take short-notice fights and still deliver high-quality performances.

Many fighters need full training camps to peak, but Garry has proven that he can adapt quickly.

Most Recent Example: Win Over Carlos Prates

Carlos Prates is a dangerous striker, aggressive, powerful, and confident. Garry accepted the fight on short notice and still managed to shut Prates down.

He controlled range, avoided big shots, and frustrated Prates with intelligent movement.

This win reinforced two things:

• Garry’s preparation level stays high year-round
• He is mentally equipped to handle pressure without full camps

Belal Muhammad, on the other hand, usually depends heavily on tactical game plans, long camps, and volume-based strategies that come from repetition. A fast-paced, unpredictable fight favors Garry.

Belal Muhammad’s Recent Decline Cannot Be Ignored

To understand why Ian Garry could beat Belal Muhammad, we must look at Belal’s recent performances.

Belal is experienced and durable, but his form over the last few fights raises concerns.

One-Sided Loss to Jack Della Maddalena

Jack Della Maddalena dominated Belal Muhammad in their title fight. Belal struggled with Jack’s range, pressure, and power.

He failed to take Jack down and had no answers on the feet.

Key issues that were exposed:

• Belal’s wrestling doesn’t work against younger, dynamic fighters
• His defensive striking is limited
• He gets stuck in predictable patterns

If JDM could dominate Belal with movement and sharp counters, Ian Garry who is longer, faster, and more tactical can do the same.

Even in Victory, Belal Showed Vulnerability Against Leon Edwards

Belal became champion after beating Leon Edwards, but the fight was far from one-sided.

In the final round, Leon Edwards nearly finished Belal with ground-and-pound. Belal was saved by the clock and by his resilience.

That moment showed:

• Belal can be hurt
• He slows down late in fights
• He struggles against sharp, accurate strikers

This is critical because Ian Garry fights with similar precision and discipline to Leon Edwards.

Stylistic Breakdown: Why Garry Matches Up Well Against Belal

Let’s look at the matchup from a pure style perspective.

Garry’s Reach and Footwork Are Key

Garry has a longer reach, better footwork, and excellent lateral movement.

Belal depends heavily on pushing forward and forcing opponents backward. Against Garry, this game plan becomes much riskier.

Garry’s style forces Belal to:

• Chase instead of pressure
• Overextend and open up counter shots
• Work much harder for takedowns

Garry’s distance control alone creates major problems for Belal.

Takedown Defense and Scrambles Favor Garry

Belal relies on:

• Single leg attempts
• Chain wrestling pressure
• Clinch control

But Garry’s hips, timing, and scrambling have improved significantly. Rakhmonov, who is a far more dangerous wrestler, struggled to hold Garry down consistently.

Belal’s top game is solid, but it is straightforward. Garry can read it, defend it, and frustrate him.

Counter-Striking and Angles

Garry is excellent at:

• Catching opponents as they enter
• Pivoting past pressure
• Using front kicks, jabs, and teeps to keep range
• Picking shots instead of brawling

Belal tends to come in straight lines, which makes him an easy target for a sniper like Garry.

Speed and Timing Are on Garry’s Side

Belal is durable and conditioned, but he is not the quickest welterweight. Garry is faster, especially in:

• First-step movement
• Jab and rear kick timing
• Level change reactions

Speed plays a huge role in neutralizing wrestlers, and Garry has it.

Mental Edge: Garry Loves Big Fights, Belal Struggles Under Spotlight

Fighters react differently to pressure moments. Garry thrives in them.

Garry’s Confidence Is Genuine

He embraces big stages, loud arenas, and tough opponents. His confidence doesn’t come from trash talk, it comes from preparation.

He visualizes success, adapts to adversity, and enjoys proving people wrong.

Belal Has Shown Hesitation in High-Stakes Fights

In title defenses and No.1 contender fights:

• Belal often plays too safe
• He becomes predictable
• He doesn’t take enough risks to change momentum

A passive approach against Garry is a recipe for getting outpointed or finished late.

Technical Comparison

Here’s a quick breakdown of key areas:

Skill Area	Ian Garry	Belal Muhammad
Striking	More precise, faster, better distance control	Volume-based but predictable
Wrestling	Improving, survived vs Shavkat	Good but struggles vs dynamic fighters
Grappling	Slick jiu-jitsu and scrambles	Strong top control, limited submissions
Speed	Faster hands and movement	Slower, more grinding
Fight IQ	Adapts mid-fight	Relies on pressure and repetition
Durability	Proven under pressure	Tough but vulnerable to sharp strikers
Momentum	Rising fast	Coming off a one-sided loss

Across these categories, Garry has the edge in areas that matter most for this matchup.

Why Ian Garry Could Win the Fight

When you combine everything recent performances, stylistic matchups, strengths, weaknesses, and momentum, it becomes clear why Ian Garry could beat Belal Muhammad.

Garry is the better striker by a significant margin.

He manages range far better and has sharper timing.

Garry’s takedown defense is improving fast.

If he could stay competitive with Shavkat, he can absolutely deal with Belal.

Garry is younger, fresher, and hungrier.

He’s still growing every fight, while Belal seems to have peaked.

Belal’s durability has shown cracks.

Leon came close to finishing him, and JDM dominated him.

Garry thrives in fast, high-pressure matchups.

Belal does not.

Belal struggles against rangy counter-strikers.

Garry fits that mold perfectly.

Final Prediction

If Ian Garry and Belal Muhammad fight today, the evidence points toward Ian Garry having the advantage.

His striking, youth, athleticism, and rapid evolution as a mixed martial artist give him the tools needed to control the fight.

Prediction: Ian Garry defeats Belal Muhammad by unanimous decision or late TKO.

Garry has the accuracy to pick Belal apart, the footwork to avoid takedowns, and the intelligence to exploit Belal’s predictable entries.

While Belal is experienced and capable, this matchup stylistically favors the younger, sharper fighter.

This is why the MMA community is buzzing and why many believe Ian Garry could walk out with the win.