Ian Machado Garry believes his path to UFC 330 has been tougher than Islam Makhachev’s, and he’s not backing down from the comparison.
Garry will challenge Makhachev for the welterweight championship in Saturday’s UFC 330 main event at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia. The Irishman earned his title shot with consecutive victories over Carlos Prates and former champion Belal Muhammad.
Ahead of the biggest fight of his career, “The Future” argued that his recent strength of schedule is superior to that of the undefeated-at-welterweight champion.
If you look at the people we’ve fought, if you look at my last five opponents vs. Islam’s last five opponents, in my opinion, it’s not a discussion whose are more difficult,” Garry told ESPN MMA.
The 28-year-old pointed specifically to Muhammad, Shavkat Rakhmonov, Prates, and Michael “Venom” Page as evidence of the level of competition he has faced.
Those four are four of the trickiest fighters on the planet. All of them present real, real danger,” Garry said.
He then compared those names with Makhachev’s recent opponents, including Jack Della Maddalena, Renato Moicano, Dustin Poirier, and Alexander Volkanovski.
As much as Volkanovski is a legend of the sport, and Dustin Poirier is a legend of the sport, they’re not as dangerous as the guys I’ve just mentioned,” Garry said.
Garry also highlighted the physical attributes and records of his opponents, pointing out that Rakhmonov was 18-0 with 18 finishes when they met, while Prates entered their bout riding an 11-fight knockout streak.
“The Future” enters UFC 330 with a 17-1 professional record and 10-1 UFC mark, having won his last two fights. His lone UFC defeat came against Rakhmonov at UFC 310 in December 2024.
Now, Garry plans to prove his résumé means something when he faces Makhachev, who is seeking to break the UFC record for consecutive victories.
I’ve been fighting the highest level of MMA fights against the toughest opponents,” Garry said. “When I step into this Octagon against Islam Makhachev, I’m going to prove to the world why Ian Machado is truly great.
