Credit: Mike Roach/Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov wasn't happy with Islam Makhachev after the UFC 330 pre-fight press conference.

Tensions are ramping up between UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev and top contender Ian Machado Garry just hours before their fight at UFC 330. At Thursday's pre-fight press conference, Makhachev used part of his mic time to say that not many in the UFC organization are fond of Garry or his personality.

Makhachev, the UFC's pound-for-pound king, garnered praise from Garry during the pre-fight press conference. As Makhachev answered a question about Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov's influence, Garry interrupted to say how ‘proud' the late coach would've been of him ahead of UFC 330.

In response, Makhachev told Garry to ‘Shut up' in a tense moment during the presser. Khabib Nurmagomedov, Makhachev's longtime mentor and friend, didn't support his protege's behavior.

Khabib Nurmagomedov scolds Islam Makhachev for presser treatment of Ian Machado Garry

In a recent episode of Anatomy of a Fighter, Nurmagomedov reacted to Makhachev's surprising response to Garry's praise.

Khabib called out Islam Makhachev for telling Ian Garry to “shut up†after Ian had actually shown him respect 😂

“I paid for their English classes for one year. They learned nothing. Ian Garry, who was talking very nicely about him, he said, ‘Shut up.'

Sometimes, when you don't… pic.twitter.com/NYJN8x03IH

— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) August 14, 2026

“I told these guys – I paid for their English classes for one year! They learned nothing,†Nurmagomedov said of Makhachev.

“Ian Garry, who was talking very nicely about him, and [Islam] says ‘Shut up'. Be nice, brother. Sometimes, when you don't like somebody, and they give you respect, at least be quiet. Don't say, ‘Shut up.â€

Makhachev seemed to take Nurmagomedov's quip in stride as he finished his final preparations for UFC 330. If he's victorious, Makhachev would eclipse Anderson Silva for the longest winning streak in UFC history.

Makhachev isn't the only fighter who's annoyed with some of Garry's recent interviews. UFC welterweight Uros Medic went off on Garry after the top welterweight contender endorsed universal female leadership.

What is your prediction for Islam Makhachev vs. Ian Machado Garry? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

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ONE Championship

Petnamkhong Sor Maneekhot headlines his second straight card against Wanchainoi Pongsuphan PK in a strawweight Muay Thai main event at The Inner Circle 26, streaming live in Asia primetime this Friday, August 14, from Bangkok's Lumpinee Stadium. A win would push the 22-year-old Laotian-Thai star closer to a US$100,000 main roster contract, the same prize his opponent is chasing on the other side of the ring.

Petnamkhong enters as a clear underdog against a 101-fight veteran from PK Saenchai Muaythaigym, a gap in experience he openly acknowledges without letting it shake his confidence.

“I admit that on paper, I might be the underdog in terms of technical skills and experience. But the one thing I am never an underdog in is my heart,†he said.

Petnamkhong chases redemption on a bigger stage at The Inner Circle 26

The stakes carry extra weight given what it took Petnamkhong to get back to this position. Three consecutive losses between August 2024 and February 2025 forced him into a deliberate break from competition to rebuild his confidence before returning.

Every fight since that break has ended in his favor, and a win over a veteran of Wanchainoi's caliber would represent the clearest validation yet that the turnaround is real.

“This comeback happened because of our team. Even though we are a small team, everyone worked together with unity and dedication, which pushed me to bounce back,†he said.

Beyond the contract and the record, Petnamkhong has said representing Laos on ONE Championship's global stage carries a significance that goes well beyond his own career trajectory.

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Conor McGregor's rematch with Max Holloway was a bit of a succinct yet catastrophic affair, and a UFC Hall of Famer who has connections to both has offered his thoughts on that July prizefight. UFC 329 saw the return of McGregor to the cage after half a decade on the sidelines due to injury. But his International Fight Week comeback against ‘Blessed' Holloway also saw him suffer another injury inside of live competition. Frankie Edgar also has the experience of having fought Max Holloway, as the former fell short to the latter in a bid for UFC gold.

Edgar and Conor McGregor are connected by virtue of both being interwoven into that rich lineage of UFC lightweight champions throughout history. When asked for his thoughts on Max Holloway's rematch with Conor McGregor at UFC 329 and the inauspicious nature of what transpired there with ‘The Notorious' sustaining a quick injury, Edgar said [via Bowks Talking Bouts],

“Yeah, it's just unfortunate. It just sucks. Nothing good about that outcome for either guy. But that's just the fight game. Crazy stuff happens all the time. No one anticipated that. You got to feel for Conor in that moment. That's just how it flies. It sucks. Life sucks sometimes [laughs].â€

Conor McGregor sought for UFC Dublin super show by Ian Garry

Conor McGregor has largely had a tough go of things in the 2020's, and while his return timeline is clouded by the nature of his UFC 329 injury, a UFC 330 headliner is still keen on sharing spots on a future card with him. The referenced fighter is fellow Irish mixed martial artist Ian Machado Garry, who challenges Islam Makhachev for the welterweight crown this weekend in Philadelphia.

Touching upon his vision for an Emerald Isle mega event that the Ultimate Fighting Championship could put on, Garry said [via Bloody Elbow],

“I've been talking about trying to get the UFC back to Ireland since I got here. It hasn't happened, and I understand why, I understand reasons, logistics, whatever it is. But when I get this belt I have a lot more power to try and dictate where we fight. I have a lot more power to try and get us back and obviously there was always speculation of Conor McGregor having a Croke Park event.â€

“Next month, one of the greatest fighters in Irish history competes at Croke Park [Katie Taylor]. If that event goes smoothly and successfully, why couldn't the UFC do an event where maybe me and Conor are main and co-main in Croke Park. We don't need anyone else as long as I am champion of the world and we bring a Carlos Prates or a Shavkat Rakhmonov or Islam Makhachev for a rematch. Why not?â€

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