Makhachev: I Have the Keys to an Easy Win Over Garry

UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev does not consider his upcoming first title defense against Ian Machado Garry to be the biggest challenge of his career.

The two fighters will face each other on August 16, with the Russian displaying tremendous confidence ahead of the bout.

“This is not the biggest challenge of my career. He’s just good. He has good skills, but everyone knows my style, so we’ll see how prepared he is for that. It will be a good fight. I saw that he has good takedown defense. I have the keys to an easy win over him,” Makhachev told reporters.

According to the champion, Garry holds advantages in the striking department, as well as in his physical attributes and striking technique, but the Russian is confident he can handle him regardless of how the fight unfolds.

“Of course, I can outpoint him. Look at my fights with Volkanovski and Dustin Poirier. I can stand and trade with anyone. But the fights where I traded were the hardest ones. If the wrestling doesn’t work, I can stand and trade with anyone. But if I want an easy win, I have to finish them early,” Makhachev explained.

The champion also dismissed Garry’s claims that his previous opponents were tougher than those Makhachev has faced himself.

“He fights every fight the same way. He just backs up and works for a decision. I don’t remember the last time he won by stoppage. He just loses to good opponents. Like when he fought Shavkat Rakhmonov. That’s it,” the Russian said.

Makhachev will make the first defense of his welterweight title after moving up from lightweight, where he held the championship for an extended period.