Ian Machado Garry has been warned not to underestimate the UFC welterweight champion’s striking.
Islam Makhachev will be the main attraction on the UFC 330 card on August 15, as the Dagestani defends his 170-pound crown for the first time since winning it eight months ago.
Despite the likes of Michael Morales and Carlos Prates staking their claims, it is Garry who will challenge Makhachev at the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.
Many are expecting the champ to repeat the grappling-heavy performance that saw him crowned king against Jack Della Maddalena, but coach Javier Mendez says that is not a certainty.
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Coach Javier Mendez is not certain Islam Makhachev will need to take down Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330
Garry has become known as one of the most technical and talented strikers in the welterweight division, having used his strong stand-up game to outpoint Carlos Prates and Belal Muhammad in 2025.
With that said, most believe the Dubliner’s path to victory lies in preventing Makhachev from dragging him to the ground, thus avoiding the fate that befell Della Maddalena at UFC 322 in New York City.
According to Mendez, the head coach of the American Kickboxing Academy, the champ may actually leave that door open for ‘The Future’ on fight night in Philadelphia.
“Ian Garry’s biggest advantage is his range,” Mendez said during a recent interview with GiveMeSport.
“His ability to use his range well with his kicks — as well as his scrambling and takedown defences. We’re going to have to see what we can do once we are in the octagon.
“Islam is well-rounded, so he is able to adapt to anything. It’s hard to say right now but come fight night we will be able to dictate what openings we can find and go from there,” he continued. “I would love to say, ‘We are going to take him down.’
“Until we see Ian Garry’s timings we won’t know. We might not even have to take him down, we could just strike with him.
“Ian Garry is no slouch in the stand-up, but neither is Islam. Garry can’t think he can go in there and do whatever he wants in the kickboxing arena. He has to be careful otherwise Islam will take him out.”
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Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC
Garry is widely credited for…
2026-07-26 06:00:00
