UFC welterweight contender Ian Garry has revealed that he is drawing inspiration from Sean Strickland and Justin Gaethje ahead of his clash with reigning champion Islam Makhachev at UFC 330 in August.
Strickland and Gaethje were involved in two of the sport’s biggest upsets this year, with both capturing their respective middleweight and lightweight titles against all odds. Strickland defeated the previously unbeaten Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 328, while Gaethje upset Ilia Topuria in the UFC Freedom 250 headliner at the White House.
In a recent interview, Garry has backed himself to defeat the current pound-for-pound king, stating:
“When Sean Strickland goes out and beats Khamzat Chimaev and upsets the apple cart (like) no one expected…No one can sit here and think that it’s impossible that I can beat Islam Makhachev.”
“If anything, I’m a far more dangerous threat. I’m far more complete, and I have way more ways of winning that fight. I am the most dangerous opponent for Islam Makhachev.”
Check out Ian Garry’s comments about Islam Makhachev below:
Ian Garry Targets Statement Finish Against Islam Makhachev in UFC 330 Welterweight Title Clash
Islam Makhachev captured the welterweight title by defeating Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322 in his last outing. The victory cemented the Dagestani star’s status as a two-division champion after his dominant reign at lightweight.
Meanwhile, Ian Garry has picked up consecutive wins over Carlos Prates and Belal Muhammad since suffering a setback against Shavkat Rakhmonov in 2024. The Irishman has long been calling for a matchup with Makhachev, with the famous Ireland vs. Dagestan rivalry adding extra intrigue to the clash.
The 28-year-old is confident in his abilities and is looking to dominate Makhachev before potentially finding a fourth-round finish. Garry has stated that he does not want to chase an early knockout, instead aiming to control the fight before closing the show to leave no room for excuses.
Check out the post below:
The bout is shaping up to be one of the most exciting matchups on the UFC calendar this year. With Makhachev looking to further cement his legacy as a two-division champion and Garry aiming to shock the world against one of the sport’s most dominant fighters, UFC 330 could deliver a defining moment for the welterweight division.
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