“Can Ian Last on the Ground”: Coach Javier Mendez Explains Why Islam Makhachev Is a Nightmare Matchup for Ian Garry

Islam Makhachev will make his first welterweight championship defense against Irish star Ian Garry at UFC 330 on August 15 in Philadelphia.

Two weeks out from the event, the teams are already talking. And Makhachev's head coach, Mendez, didn't hold back in offering his thoughts on the bout. 

Mendez: Islam Makhachev Is Ready for Every Version of This Fight 

During an interview with Submission Radio, Mendez talked about Makhachev’s preparation for facing such a seasoned striker as Ian Garry. While he didn’t take away anything from the Irish star, Mendez made it clear that fighting Makhachev will not be a walk in the park. 

“He’s got Islam Makhachev on the other side, who happens to be the guy that can stand with him, who happens to be the guy who can take him down… I know Islam can stand with Ian, but can Ian last on the ground with us?” Mendez said. 

Talking about the preparation, Mendez mentioned Makhachev hasn’t trained in a certain way. Instead, the champion has taken a well-rounded approach for his first defense, per Mendez. 

“One thing is for sure, it doesn’t matter because Islam prepares for everything. He’s well-rounded, everything… We don’t go in there fighting Ian a certain way. We can change how we feel because Islam is that good,” Mendez said. 

This is the kind of confidence that only comes from a decade of training together and dismantling several opponents across two divisions. 

Not only Mendez, but Makhachev himself has predicted that he will finish the Irish star in under three rounds. 

Will it be that easy for Islam Makhachev?

Makhachev comes from a strong wrestling background. And working with legends such as Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, Khabib, and Javier Mendez has given him a cheat code in the fighting game. 

Makhachev (28-1) is the current top pound-for-pound fighter, having lost only once in the UFC. He has tied legend Anderson Silva's win streak record of 16 victories and will break it if he defeats Garry. 

However, it isn't as straightforward as the champion's camp makes it sound. Garry is currently one of the most technically gifted strikers in the welterweight division. 

He enters his first title fight at 17-1. His only MMA loss came against Shavkat Rakhmonov in 2024. Ever since then, he has racked up convincing wins over Carlos Prates and Belal Muhammad, earning a title shot. 

Apart from his on-paper skills, Garry's self-belief and confidence are two of his most powerful weapons, earning praise even from Makhachev's coach, Mendez. Therefore, Makhachev will have to defeat him not only physically but mentally as well. 

Given that both fighters have one loss to their name, it will be fascinating to see whose psychological resilience crumbles before the other inside the cage.