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 welterweight champion Islam Makhachev hinted that Usman Nurmagomedov could be signing with the promotion soon.

Islam Makhachev will defend his UFC welterweight title this Saturday against Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330. Makhachev returns to the Octagon after becoming the UFC's latest two-division champ by defeating Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322.

As Makhachev continues his final preparations for UFC 330, one of his longtime teammates could be on the way to the promotion. PFL lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov, cousin of Khabib Nurmagomedov, is a free agent and could potentially sign with the UFC in the coming weeks.

UFC CEO Dana White recently expressed interest in signing the undefeated champion, and manager Ali Abdelaziz hinted that the promotion has reached out. Nurmagomedov most recently finished Archie Colgan at PFL New York.

Ahead of UFC 330, Makhachev not only hinted that a Nurmagomedov UFC signing could be imminent, but also teased a few potential matchups for the PFL champ.

Islam Makhachev tabs Usman Nurmagomedov for immediate UFC title shot

During his UFC 330 media day press conference, Makhachev was asked about Nurmagomedov's potential UFC signing and hinted at a potential deal in the works.

“Usman has been training with us since he was really young. I know 100 percent that he's ready to fight for the UFC title tomorrow,†Makhachev said of Nurmagomedov.

“In my opinion, Usman did his job in the PFL, and he's ready to show a good performance in the UFC. Right now, is the time for Usman in the UFC and we have some people in mind. We want Justin for the belt, but if he has to do one more [fight], he'll face Arman [Tsarukyan] or [Mauricio] Ruffy.â€

Arman Tsarukyan and Mauricio Ruffy will clash in the UFC 331 co-main event next month in Los Angeles. Meanwhile, lightweight champ Justin Gaethje's return timeline remains uncertain, although he's widely speculated to face the Tsarukyan vs. Ruffy winner for his first title defense.

Can Usman Nurmagomedov win a UFC title? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM

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