Ian Machado Garry claims Islam Makhachev showed 'nervous energy' during UFC 330 faceoff

Islam Makhachev and Ian Machado Garry finally came face-to-face for the first time on Tuesday in Philadelphia, ahead of their UFC welterweight title fight at UFC 330. The two stars squared off near the iconic Rocky statue. 

Neither fighter showed much emotion or attempted to provoke the other, and calmly held their position for the cameras before stepping away and posing side by side.

However, despite the calm nature of the faceoff, Garry claims he noticed something from the reigning champion. The Irishman believes Makhachev appeared reluctant to be there and sensed some nervous energy from the Dagestani star during their first meeting.

Ian Machado Garry believes Islam Makhachev showed signs of nerves during faceoff

Makhachev arrived with the welterweight championship wrapped around his shoulder before stepping toward Garry for the staredown. Both appeared calm, posing for the cameras and shaking hands before stepping away. 

In the UFC 330 media day interview, A reporter asked Garry what he felt while facing Makhachev for the first time. The Irish claimed that the reigning champion did not appear eager to participate in the faceoff and felt the Dagestani star showed signs of nervous energy. 

“I just kind of felt like yesterday he didn't want to be there. He didn't want to be at the face off. I sensed a little bit of like nervous energy from them.” Garry said. 

However, Garry quickly downplayed the importance of the promotional faceoff and explained that he doesn't consider those moments to be representative of what will happen inside the Octagon.

“But those face-offs, they're fake. They're for social media. They're for Instagram. They're for obligations. They're not for us.” Garry explained.  

For Garry, the faceoff that matters will come after both fighters make weight on Friday. The Irishman believes that moment will carry much more significance because it will be the final time he and Makhachev look at each other before competing for the welterweight title.

“The face off that matters to me is Friday when we've made weight. We've done all the hard work. We show up in front of our fans and it's the last time we get to look at each other before we meet in the lockdown. That's the one that matters to me.” Garry said. 

Check out Ian Machado Garry's comments below: 

Makhachev eyes UFC history as Garry looks to claim welterweight gold

Garry will face off with Makhachev two more times, once at the press conference and again at the ceremonial weigh-ins. However, as the Irishman pointed out, those faceoffs don't really matter. What matters is what happens once the cage door closes at UFC 330.

Will Garry dethrone the reigning champion and capture the welterweight title, or will the pound-for-pound king successfully defend his belt, extend his winning streak to 17 fights, and etch his name further into the UFC history books with the longest winning streak in promotion history? 

Garry has a professional record of 17 wins and one loss, and on the other hand, Makhachev has a lot more fight experience; he has 28 wins and just one loss. Both fighters have just lost once in their career. On Saturday, someone has to taste defeat for the second time.