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.
MMA
Islam Makhachev scoffs at Ian Machado Garry being his toughest opponent to date at UFC 330: ‘It’s not going to be my biggest challenge’
Published
3 months agoon
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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MMA
Arman Tsarukyan sets one condition for fighting Alexander Volkanovski
Published
9 minutes agoon
November 3, 2026
Tsarukyan is open to fighting Alexander
Volkanovski, provided
Ultimate Fighting Championship gold is at stake.
Volkanovski (29-4) defended the featherweight title with a
technical knockout victory over Movsar
Evloev at
UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi before expressing interest in returning to
lightweight. With champion Justin
Gaethje uncertain about his future, Volkanovski offered to face
Tsarukyan (24-3) for the vacant title if Gaethje retires.
Arman Tsarukyan reminds Alexander Volkanovski how Islam
Makhachev rematch ended
Tsarukyan said the championship matters more to him than the
opponent.
“I'm ready for everyone,†Tsarukyan told Yavuz Saynomo. “For me, it
doesn't matter who I'm gonna fight; I just want to fight for the
title.â€
Volkanovski has expressed confidence that he can counter
Tsarukyan's wrestling and avoid being held down. Tsarukyan
responded by recalling the Australian's knockout loss to Islam
Makhachev.
“He said Islam Makhachev cannot knock him out, too,†Tsarukyan
added.
Volkanovski has twice challenged Makhachev for the lightweight
championship. He lost their first meeting by unanimous decision
before Makhachev finished their rematch with a head kick and
follow-up punches.
Tsarukyan remains confident that his next bout will be for the
title. If Gaethje retires, “The Batman†expects to compete for the
vacant belt.
“I have a title fight next,†Tsarukyan reiterated. “Either Justin
Gaethje. If he is retired, someone else.â€
MMA
Report: Jacqueline Cavalcanti vs. Michelle Montague postponed to UFC 335 on Dec. 12
Published
18 hours agoon
November 2, 2026
MMA
On To the Next One: Matches to make after controversial UFC Vegas 123 event
Published
19 hours agoon
November 2, 2026
UFC Vegas 123 went down this past Saturday at the Meta APEX. The Halloween-themed event ended in controversy following referee Dan Miragliotta's decision to stand up Renato Moicano and Tom Nolan with Moicano in a dominant position, thus leading to Nolan getting the finish the third round. Where does Nolan go from this victory where the headlines are solely about the referee?
On an all-new edition of On To the Next One, MMA Fighting's Mike Heck and Alexander K. Lee discuss what's next for Nolan after getting his biggest win, yet not getting the rub despite not doing anything wrong. Additionally, future matchups are discussed for Jacobe Smith following his impressive win over Randy Brown in the co-main event, Cody Durden after defeating Ode Osbourne in the featured bout, along with fellow main card winners Luana Santos and Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani, and more.
Plus, your matchmaking suggestions during the second half of the program.
Arman Tsarukyan sets one condition for fighting Alexander Volkanovski
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Arman Tsarukyan sets one condition for fighting Alexander Volkanovski
Naoya Inoue Receives Title Shot Opportunity in New Division After Champions Fifth Consecutive Stoppage
Terence Crawfords Interim Champion Eyes Canelo Showdown After Mbilli Victory
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