Khabib Explains why Ian Machado Garry’s Height Makes him a Dangerous Opponent for Islam Makhachev
Ian Machado Garry could prove challenging for Islam Makhachev in UFC 330 one month from now.
18-1 in the UFC, Islam Makhachev has made a career out of solving every puzzle placed in front of him. Whether it was elite strikers, powerful wrestlers, or fellow champions, the pound-for-pound king has consistently found a way to impose his game.
According to Khabib Nurmagomedov, Ian Machado Garry presents a challenge unlike any Makhachev has faced before. Ahead of their UFC 330 title clash on Aug. 15, the former undefeated lightweight champion admitted that the Irishman’s craft and youth combined create a matchup that demands a very different approach.
Khabib Explains why Ian Garry is Difficult Puzzle for Islam Makhachev
Makhachev (28-1) will make the first defense of his welterweight title against Garry (17-1) in the UFC 330 main event at Philadelphia's Xfinity Mobile Arena. While the Dagestani enters the bout boasting a 16-fight UFC winning streak dating back to 2016, Nurmagomedov believes Garry's physical attributes make him a unique test.
Pointing to Garry's 6-foot-4 frame, "The Eagle" sees something Team Makhachev has never had to deal with before.
"We've never faced an opponent this tall, 193 cm (6'4"). We'll have to chase him, close the distance, grab him, and take him down. It will be a difficult fight," he told on the Smol Talk podcast.
For the veteran, the challenge isn't limited to height alone. He also believes Garry's elusive striking style, combined with the fact that the latter is six years younger than Makhachev, makes this one of the more intriguing stylistic matchups of his prodigy’s career.
“Islam is almost 35. The stylistic matchup and the age together make this a difficult fight. I expect a hard fight, assuming we don't get an early finish. Spending five rounds with this opponent won’t be easy. The training camp will be difficult too, first because we have to find someone who can imitate him.”
Ian Machado Garry on Tear Heading into UFC 330
Garry has won 10 of his 11 UFC appearances, with his only professional defeat coming at the hands of undefeated contender Shavkat Rakhmonov. If Makhachev gets his hand raised at UFC 330, he'll move past Anderson Silva and set a new record for the longest winning streak in UFC history.
Javier Mendez reveals Nurmagomedov’s Role in Makhachev’s Camp
Furthermore, preparing for Garry has required more than just another training camp. According to American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) head coach Javier Mendez, Team Makhachev has turned to undefeated PFL lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov to recreate the problems Garry brings to the Octagon.
"Usman is probably the best sparring partner we have for that," Mendez said. "He's the one who can mimic Ian the closest."
Mendez has long praised the PFL champion as one of the brightest talents to come through the Dagestani system, and he believes fans who haven't seen him compete are missing out.
"People who haven't seen him should tune in because he's special. I get to watch them spar all the time, and the things they do are unbelievable," Mendez added.
With Garry's height, movement, and striking expected to test Makhachev in unfamiliar ways, Team Khabib is leaving little to chance. By using Nurmagomedov to simulate the Irishman's style, the reigning champion hopes to be ready for what many inside his own camp are calling one of the toughest stylistic matchups of his career.
