TLDR
- Ian Machado Garry challenges Islam Makhachev for the welterweight title at UFC 330 on August 15 in Philadelphia
- Khabib says Garry’s 6-foot-4 height is unlike any opponent Makhachev has faced in his 16-fight win streak
- Charles Oliveira praises Garry’s ability to stick to a game plan and impose his rhythm on tough opponents
- Team Makhachev is using undefeated PFL champion Usman Nurmagomedov as a sparring partner to simulate Garry’s style
- UFC analyst Din Thomas believes Garry is dangerous because he’s beaten fighters like Michael Page and Carlos Prates that nobody else could solve
Sources: sports.yahoo.com | mmasucka.com | mmajunkie.usatoday.com
Ian Machado Garry will challenge Islam Makhachev for the welterweight title at UFC 330 on August 15 at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia. Despite being a big underdog, the Irish fighter has earned respect from some of the sport’s biggest names who believe his unique attributes could pose serious problems for the champion.
Khabib Nurmagomedov, Makhachev’s longtime coach and mentor, admitted that Garry presents a challenge unlike any his fighter has faced before. The former lightweight champion pointed to Garry’s 6-foot-4 frame as the primary concern.
“We’ve never faced an opponent this tall, 193 cm,” Khabib said on the Smol Talk podcast. “We’ll have to chase him, close the distance, grab him, and take him down. It will be a difficult fight.”
Khabib also mentioned that the age difference between the fighters makes this matchup more challenging. Makhachev is almost 35 years old while Garry is six years younger.
Yk what I might just pick Ian Garry to beat Islam Makhachev. 😳😳😳 pic.twitter.com/iiUC1FUBTv
— 𝓚𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓕𝓲𝓰𝓰𝔂 👹🩸 (@ChampFiggy) June 24, 2026
Training Camp Adjustments for Historic Fight
Makhachev enters UFC 330 with a 28-1 record and a 16-fight winning streak in the UFC dating back to 2016. If he wins, he will break Anderson Silva’s record for the longest winning streak in UFC history.
To prepare for Garry’s unique style, Team Makhachev has brought in undefeated PFL lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov as a sparring partner. Javier Mendez, head coach at American Kickboxing Academy, explained the decision.
“Usman is probably the best sparring partner we have for that,” Mendez said. “He’s the one who can mimic Ian the closest.”
Mendez praised the PFL champion’s abilities and said watching him spar with Makhachev produces unbelievable exchanges. The extensive preparation shows how seriously Team Makhachev is taking this challenge.
Oliveira and Thomas Explain Garry’s Strengths
Charles Oliveira, who trains with Machado Garry in Brazil and holds the BMF championship, highlighted his training partner’s mental approach to fighting. Oliveira was submitted by Makhachev at UFC 280 in a lightweight title fight.
“He’s a guy that puts that game plan right under his arms and just sticks to it, and that’s the reason why I believe in him,” Oliveira said through an interpreter. “He’s been able to beat them at his game and impose his rhythm, so I do believe he has a chance to do that.”
Oliveira dismissed the idea that this fight is about revenge for his loss to Makhachev. He said Makhachev deserves credit for that win but that he will be happy for Garry when he gets his own victory.
UFC analyst Din Thomas also gave Garry a strong chance to pull off the upset. He pointed to Garry’s wins over difficult opponents that other fighters couldn’t solve.
“He’s got a win over Michael ‘Venom’ Page. No one could really figure out Michael ‘Venom’ Page,” Thomas told MMA Junkie. “Carlos Prates is an absolute killer right now; Ian Garry’s got a win over him.”
Thomas said Garry has great footwork and a high fight IQ that prevents him from making mistakes. He believes people forget how good Garry is because of things he has said or done outside the cage.
Garry holds a 17-1 record with 10 wins in the UFC. His only professional loss came against undefeated contender Shavkat Rakhmonov.
Garry earned his title shot with back-to-back wins over Carlos Prates and former champion Belal Muhammad. The fight will air on Paramount+ as the main event of UFC 330.
