Ian
Garry believes Islam
Makhachev is significantly shorter than he is, despite the
minimal height difference at their first face-off.

Garry (17-1) is set to challenge Makhachev (28-1) for the
Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight title at UFC
330 on Aug. 15 at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia. At
6-foot-3 tall, Garry officially has a 5-inch height advantage over
Makhachev. However, they were nearly eye-to-eye when they faced off
for the first time in front of the iconic Rocky statue in
Philly.

Ian Garry addresses lack of height difference in first face-off
with Islam Makhachev

Garry claims Makhachev was wearing high heels to nullify the height
difference. The Irishman is sure that he'll be significantly taller
during the ceremonial weigh-in face-offs, where they both have to
wear the same type of shoes.

“He was wearing high heels,†Garry said in an interview with
Paramount+. “He was wearing stilettos. Wait till you see Friday
night when we're both wearing the same shoes… Because we're
obligated to wear the same shoes.â€

Makhachev refuted Garry's accusations, claiming to have worn
regular shoes during the face-off. The Dagestani champion also says
that he has grown bigger since the UFC first recorded his official
height at 5-foot-10 before his Octagon debut in 2015.

“It's regular shoes, nothing special,†Makhachev said. “And that
number which I have right now is because UFC check my [height] when
I debuted 10-11 years ago. UFC have to check again. I have become
big right now. I'm welterweight, no more lightweight.â€

A career-defining clash 👊@MAKHACHEVMMA
vs @iangarryMMA

[ #UFC330
| LIVE SAT AUG 15 | 9pmET on @ParamountPlus
] pic.twitter.com/LIs18fqJWq

— UFC (@ufc) August
12, 2026

Was Islam
Makhachev wearing “puffed up” shoes during his face off with
Ian
Machado Garry? 🤔

[ #UFC330
| SAT Aug 15 9pm ET on @paramountplus
] pic.twitter.com/f2MVC5K4HS

— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount)
August 12, 2026

Ian
Garry felt like Islam
Makhachev didn't want to be at their first face-off.

Makhachev (28-1) defends his
Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight title against Garry
(17-1) at UFC
330 on Aug. 15 at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.
Makhachev and Garry recently faced off for the first time in front
of the iconic Rocky statue in Philly, where the challenger
perceived nerves on the champ's part.

Ian Garry on face-off with Islam Makhachev: ‘He didn't want to
be there'

Garry claims to have felt some “nervous energy†from the Dagestani
champion. However, he also admitted that it was an unofficial
face-off and the one that actually matters is the official one at
the ceremonial weigh-ins, after they've made weight.

“I just kind of felt like yesterday he didn't want to be there,â€
Garry said at UFC 330 media day. “He didn't want to be at the
face-off. I sensed a little bit of nervous energy from him. But
they are face-offs; they are fake, they are for social media, they
are for Instagram, they are for obligations. They're not for us.
The face-off that matters to me is Friday, when we've made weight,
when we've done all the hard work, we show up in front of fans and
it's the last time we get to look at each other before we meet in
the Octagon.â€

Meanwhile, Makhachev seemed completely unfazed by Garry's
perception. The Russian says this is the second time in his career
that he is enjoying every moment of fight week.

“I’m not nervous,†Makhachev said at media day. “This is like my
second fight week in my life where I enjoying every moment.â€

A career-defining clash 👊@MAKHACHEVMMA
vs @iangarryMMA

[ #UFC330
| LIVE SAT AUG 15 | 9pmET on @ParamountPlus
] pic.twitter.com/LIs18fqJWq

— UFC (@ufc) August
12, 2026

UFC women's strawweight champion Mackenzie Dern shared a surprising take on Ian Machado Garry's hotly debated remarks ahead of UFC 330.

UFC welterweight contender Ian Machado Garry has had a unique pre-fight buildup to his first UFC title shot this weekend. Garry will fight UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev as he looks to pull off one of the biggest upsets in the promotion's history.

Garry, who enters UFC 330 after back-to-back wins over Belal Muhammad and Carlos Prates, has ruffled some feathers during his recent pre-fight media tour. He recently claimed that the world would be ‘better if run by women', prompting many fight fans and fellow fighters to mock his stance.

UFC women's strawweight champion Mackenzie Dern, one of the biggest female MMA stars, took a surprising stance on Garry's endorsement of female leadership.

Mackenzie Dern disagrees with Ian Machado Garry's endorsement of female leadership

During her UFC 330 media day press conference, Dern was asked to weigh in on Garry's comments.

“I come from a more traditional upbringing, and obviously the women in my family are super strong and independent. But I like the guy protecting and leading,†Dern said of Garry's remarks.

“I like to relax – if I need to go to war with him, I will, but I'm a Mom and stuff like that. We don't depend on guys; we're independent, but I do like the man taking the lead.â€

At his UFC 330 pre-fight media day, Garry opened up his availability by shutting down any non-fighting questions about his recent remarks and the fan backlash. Since signing with the UFC following a decorated tenure in Cage Warriors, Garry has struggled to earn the adoration of the promotion's opinionated fan base.

If he's victorious this weekend at UFC 330, expect Garry's stardom to get a big boost.

What is your prediction for Mackenzie Dern vs. Gillian Robertson? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM

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