Islam Makhachev believes Ian Machado Garry is "not complete"

Ahead of his title fight against Ian Machado Garry, Islam Makhachev is confident he will retain his belt. Although the Russian champion recognizes that Garry is a skilled fighter, he believes the Irishman has some holes in his game. On Saturday, Makhachev plans on exploring those weaknesses when he defends the UFC welterweight title at UFC 330 against Garry.

Islam Makhachev Sees Ian Machado Garry as Skilled but Incomplete Fighter

Makhachev has faced some elite strikers throughout his career, as was the case with Jack Della Maddalena when he defeated him to become the welterweight champion. However, the Russian believes Garry brings a more complete skill set to the Octagon. At the same time, Makhachev sees some flaws in the Irishman's game and believes he already knows how to exploit them. Speaking to MMA Junkie and other reporters on Wednesday, Makhachev explained why he is confident in his chances of retaining the belt.

"If you watch my last fight, Della Maddalena was more of a boxer," Makhachev began. "I think Ian has more skills. He's good in the striking. He has good wrestling defense. He has some weak points. He's not complete 100 percent, like myself. But he is good. It's going to be a good fight. I saw he had good takedown defense. I have some keys to beat him easy."

Despite praising Garry's abilities, Makhachev is confident he can beat him. Although the Russian acknowledges that Garry has the skills to defeat some of the division's top contenders, he believes he is a different challenge altogether.

"When he has good opponents, he loses," Makhachev said. "That's it. When he had Shavkat , if he talks too much, just look at your fight. That guy beat you four rounds. That's it. [...] He can beat Carlos . He can beat everyone. But I'm not the same like that, guys. I'm different."

Islam Makhachev Wants to Humble Ian Machado Garry

With the fight around the corner, the buildup has also featured some verbal exchanges between the two fighters. Makhachev, however, believes Garry's confident persona does not necessarily reflect who he is outside the Octagon. The Russian said he sees the Irishman as a good person but believes he tries to portray himself differently.

"I think he's a good person, good guy," Makhachev said. "But he acts like he's a bad boy, or something like this. I tell him in the interview also, we will make him humble. We will make him good guy."

While Garry will look to use his striking and distance management to become the first fighter to defeat Makhachev at welterweight, the champion enters UFC 330 confident that he has identified the openings he needs to secure another successful title defense.