Ian Machado Garry Claims Tougher Opponents Than Islam Makhachev

Ian Machado Garry, the Irish UFC welterweight challenger, believes he has faced tougher opponents than Islam Makhachev, citing his recent run of form and the size and skill difference between their opponents.

What happened?

Ian Machado Garry recently compared his strength of schedule to that of Islam Makhachev, claiming that his recent run of form surpasses the Russian's. Garry (17-1) is scheduled to challenge Makhachev (28-1) for the Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight title at UFC 330 on August 15 at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.

Why it matters for Ian Machado Garry

Garry has faced Belal Muhammad, Carlos Prates, Shavkat Rakhmonov, Michael Page, and Geoff Neal in his last five outings, only losing to Rakhmonov. Meanwhile, Makhachev has defended his lightweight title against Volkanovski twice, Dustin Poirier, and Renato Carneiro, and dethroned Jack Della Maddalena to win the welterweight title in his last five bouts.

Garry believes Muhammad, Prates, Rakhmonov, and Page are among the trickiest fighters in the world. While he respects Volkanovski and Poirier as legends, he doesn't think they match up to the level of opponents he's faced. Garry, who's a massive underdog going into UFC 330, also notes that all of his recent opponents were bigger and taller than Makhachev's.

What comes next?

Garry, who's a massive underdog going into UFC 330, is looking to prove himself against Makhachev. The Irish fighter is confident in his abilities and believes that his recent run of form will give him the edge he needs to take down the Russian.

• Ian Machado Garry has faced tougher opponents than Islam Makhachev, according to the Irish fighter.
• Garry's recent run of form surpasses Makhachev's, in his opinion.
• All of Garry's recent opponents were bigger and taller than Makhachev's.

Stats Table

Note: The stats table only includes the opponents mentioned in the source article.