Ian Garry wanted to avoid talking about personal subjects outside the cage during the media day leading into his first UFC title shot, but this was deemed improper protocol by one of MMA's most veteran media members. The Irish standout will compete against Islam Makhachev for the latter's welterweight crown in Philadelphia on August 15th. Ahead of the fistic fireworks this Saturday, Garry spoke to the credentialed media members assembled for the UFC 330 media day.

Kicking off his fight week media obligations in a fairly clear fashion, with an excerpt of the full scrum shared via X account @HappyPunch, Garry said,

“Before we start, I just want to make one thing abundantly clear. I have got the biggest fight of my life this weekend. I am absolutely completely f***ing focused on the fight. So let's stick to the professional stuff, yeah? Stick to the fighting, let's talk about the fighting. Let's talk about Islam [Makhachev], let's talk about the fight. Nothing else.â€

Luke Thomas noticed the clip posted by Happy Punch and then retweeted his thoughts regarding the proclamations of the brash Garry ahead of his bid for the 170-pound strap in the coming days. Articulating his viewpoint on this scenario in a quote tweet, Thomas stated,

“[Garry']s trying to politely dissuade what could be an onslaught of questions about irrelevant, prurient topics, but that's not the way this works. He can decline to answer, but not set the terms.â€

Ian Garry reflects on his journey in martial arts before this massive matchup at UFC 330

Islam Makhachev is regarded as the top pound-for-pound fighter in mixed martial arts currently, and Ian Garry is relishing the nature of this moment as he mulls over this being such a seismic culmination of a broader journey in combat sports. Expanding upon these narrative pieces at the UFC 330 media day, Garry quipped [via MMA Junkie],

“I knew from the moment I started this sport, the talent that I had. I knew that with all the talent, the discipline, the sacrifice and the hard work I put in, I knew I'd get here, and I have gotten here. Nobody in the world has deserved a world title shot more than me. It still hasn't hit me yet. It'll be Friday when it hits me, ‘All right, this is it. He's here.' There's no more to do. There's no more weight cutting. No nothing. No media. It's just show up, face off at the ceremonials, and I know tomorrow we're fighting.â€

“I think then it will kind of come to reality that it's real. I've always said I want to fight the toughest fighters in the world, the best fighters in the world, because that's how you become great. You leave no question marks. You make no excuses. I've fought some of the greatest fighters walking this planet right now at welterweight.â€

“It's going to be a big honor to go out there and compete against Islam, the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the planet, a world champion. His legacy is set in stone. He's done so much in this sport. Beating him, it's exactly the challenge I'd want to become the champion of the world.â€

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PHILADELPHIA – UFC welterweight veteran Neil Magny speaks with MMA Fighting's José Youngs about not watching movies or TV, instead focusing his attention on a love of sourdough bread, remodeling homes, listening to audio books, and more on the latest episode of Anything But Fighting.

Former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping has made his prediction for the UFC 330 main event.

The UFC is in Philadelphia on Saturday, and Islam Makhachev defends his welterweight title against Ian Machado Garry. Heading into the bout, Makhachev is a -360 favorite while the Irishman is a +290 underdog on FanDuel.

Although Makhachev is a sizable favorite, Garry has been oozing with confidence heading into the bout. But Bisping does expect to hear ‘And Still' as he believes Makhachev will be able to get a submission win.

“It's going to be an exciting clash. Will Ian Garry be able to jab and jog his way to victory? Because that'll be the game plan, let's be honest. Or will Islam Makhachev take him down, rag doll him all over the place, choke him out unconscious and put him to sleep? We shall see,†Bisping said on his YouTube channel. Takedown defense 100-percent is what this fight's all going to be about, and whether or not Islam Makhachev can cut off the cage, get him up against the fence, corral him against the fence, grab a leg, take him down. …

“Islam Makhachev, this is his bread and butter. This is what he does. And when you go to the wall, he's going to take your back and he's going to put the hooks in and he's going to choke you out. And that is my prediction for this fight.â€

If Makhachev does submit Garry in the main event of UFC 330, it would be a statement win for him. And he would break Anderson Silva's record of most consecutive wins, which would further cement him as an all-time great.

Makhachev enters UFC 330 with a record of 28-1 and is coming off a decision win over Jack Della Maddalena.

Stay locked to BJPENN.com all day for your UFC 330 fight coverage.

Do you agree with Michael Bisping's prediction?

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