Islam Makhachev never underestimates any opponent, but he also knows there are levels in this game, and he doesn't buy Ian Machado Garry as his toughest challenge.
Ahead of the UFC 330 main event on Saturday, Makhachev has heard Garry say plenty of thing about his plans to pull off the upset to become welterweight champion. But despite this being just his second fight at 170 pounds, Makhachev respects what Garry brings to the table but he doesn't buy that this is the most difficult matchup he's ever faced in his career.
“It's not going to be my biggest challenge,†Makhachev said during UFC 330 media day. “He's just good. I give him respect. He has good skills but everybody knows my game. We'll see how he prepared for that.
“In welterweight, if you watch the last fight [with Jack Della Maddalena] it's like more a boxer, but I think Ian has more skills. He's good in the striking. He has good wrestling defense. But he has some weak points. He's not complete like 100% like myself. He's good. It's going to be a good fight. I saw he has good takedown defense. I have some keys to beat him easy.â€
Stylistically, Makhachev criticized Garry for evading his opponents more than engaging and going for the kill. While Garry finds a way to win fights, Makhachev isn't all that impressed by him constantly winning on the scorecards but not adding many finishes to his record.
“He has the same style every fight,†Makhachev said. “He just runs back and he's just working for the points. I don't remember when he finished someone the last time.â€
On paper, Makhachev acknowledged that the fight against Garry is being touted as the classic “striker versus grappler†matchup but he knows he has many ways he can win and defend his belt on Saturday.
Getting the fight to the ground is Makhachev's surest path to victory but he's also not afraid to stand and bang with Garry if that's what it takes to get the job done.
“Yes, sure [I can outstrike him],†Makhachev said. “Watch my fights against [Alexander] Volkanovski, against Dustin Poirier, I can strike with anyone. But the most fights where I strike, it's the hardest fight for me.
“That's why if wrestling is not working, grappling is not working, I can strike with anyone. But if I want the easy win, I have to take them down and finish them.â€
A lot has been said on both sides about the fight headlining UFC 330 including Garry taking aim at Makhachev's recent resume. While he takes nothing away from Makhachev's achievements, which now includes becoming a two-division champion, Garry believes he's faced stiffer competition recently and that's preparing him for victory on Saturday.
Makhachev could only laugh that that suggestion, especially knowing he dispatched Garry's teammate in dominant fashion to win the UFC lightweight title not that long ago.
“The last four [opponents]? Before he said last five,†Makhchev said comparing his resume to Garry's. “I've said why doesn't he respect his teammate Charles Oliviera? Now he says last four.
“When he has good opponent, he just loses. That's it. When he had Shavkat [Rakhmonov], if he talks too much just look at your fight. That guy beat you four rounds. That's it.â€
The trash talk between the fighters has ratcheted up during fight week but Makhachev truly has nothing against Garry outside of the fact that the Irish welterweight is trying to take his title.
Makhachev promises there's nothing personal about this fight, although he does plan on teaching Garry a lesson or two come fight night.
“As a person? I think he's a good person, a good guy but he acts like he's a bad boy,†Makhachev said about Garry. “I tell him in the interview, we will make him humble. We'll make him a good guy.â€
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