"Genius" - Javier Mendez counters Dana White over criticism of Ian Machado Garry for Islam Makhachev UFC fight

Ian Machado Garry has faced criticism from several quarters of the MMA community in the aftermath of his maiden UFC title shot.

A couple of weeks removed from that fight, Javier Mendez -- the longtime coach of Garry's opponent Islam Makhachev -- has come to his defense. 

Javier Mendez acknowledges Dana White's opinion but counters it, whilst praising Ian Machado Garry after UFC 330

Ian Machado Garry clashed against reigning UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev in the headlining match of UFC 330 on August 15. The closely contested fight witnessed Makhachev defend the 170-pound belt with a unanimous decision victory. It elicited mixed reactions from fans and experts alike. Some deemed it a rather dull affair. 

A few suggested that Garry's elusiveness and defensive grappling befuddled his Dagestani rival in certain moments. Others argued that Garry, who was significantly taller and a few years younger than Makhachev -- who's a former UFC lightweight champion -- squandered the opportunity of using his size and youth. 

UFC CEO and president Dana White joined Garry's critics, indicating that he could've won the fight if he showed even a modicum of "killer instinct." It's noteworthy that the Irishman was widely condemned for supposedly being too friendly and unaggressive against Makhachev. 

During his latest appearance on Submission Radio, Javier Mendez -- head coach at the world-renowned AKA (American Kickboxing Academy) gym in San Jose, California -- defended Garry. 

Speaking to host Denis Shkuratov, Mendez, who's long coached Makhachev, indicated that Garry did his very best against the pound-for-pound great. He stated: 

"From that perspective, I get where he (Dana White) is coming from, but he doesn't understand the mentality of a fighter and what Ian pulled off. If he understood that, then he'd have a different output on it like I do. I understand this more than anybody, probably, on the mental side of it. And what I saw from Ian was so impressive... The fight was somewhat lackluster." 

Mendez implied that the clash of styles made for a seemingly uneventful fight, with Garry being a defensive counter-striker and Makhachev exercising an abundance of caution to outpoint his foe but avoid overextending himself. 

Moreover, Mendez insinuated that he disagreed with White despite seeing some merit in the UFC head honcho's critique of Garry. He said, "So, yeah, the Dana thing -- you know, I get it, where he's coming from. But from the mentality of a coach, where I'm coming from -- being a coach, that was genius on Ian's part." 

Watch Javier Mendez discuss Dana White's criticism of Ian Machado Garry and more below (*comments at the 12:53-minute mark of the video): 

Ian Machado Garry seemed undeterred in defeat; Islam Makhachev's treacherous path at welterweight continues

Ian Machado Garry coped considerable condemnation for his behavior, which many deemed unnaturally friendly, as well as for some of his socio-political assertions leading up to UFC 330.

He faced jeering and criticism after coming up short in the title fight against Islam Makhachev. Regardless, "The Future" has maintained a defiant attitude and vowed to learn and return, so as to become the welterweight kingpin sooner rather than later. 

On the other hand, Makhachev, who's had just his second fight in the 170-pound weight class, has been warned by supporters and detractors alike about the dangerous challengers awaiting him. 

The grappling savant is likely to defend his welterweight title against Carlos Prates or the undefeated Michael Morales next, with yet another dangerous contender in the unbeaten Shavkat Rakhmonov (who's looking to return from an injury hiatus) watching keenly.