Dana White On Garry's Threat To Islam At UFC 330

Dana White believes Ian Garry can upset Islam Makhachev when the pair meet for the UFC welterweight title at UFC 330 on Aug. 15 in Philadelphia.

The UFC president told The Mac Life that Garry's takedown defense gives him a genuine path to victory against the champion. "His takedown defense has been excellent, and we'll see if he can stay on his feet," White said, per MMA Mania. "Obviously, if he can stay off the ground, he poses a serious threat to Islam."

Garry's Takedown Defense Against Top Competition

The Irishman stopped 15 of 17 takedown attempts across his fights with Shavkat Rakhmonov and Belal Muhammad, according to the report. Charles Oliveira, who trains Garry at his camp and lost to Makhachev at UFC 280, told MMA Fighting that his student has a real shot. "Ian truly has a very good chance of beating Makhachev," Oliveira said. "Ian is a very strategic guy, he studies a lot."

Not everyone agrees. Michael Morales, ranked third at welterweight and expected to fight the winner in early 2027, gave Garry zero chance and predicted Makhachev would keep the fight on the mat for all five rounds or finish it outright.

UFC 330 streams on Paramount Plus from Xfinity Mobile Arena.

Reported via:

• MMA Mania — Dana White admits Ian Garry ‘poses a serious threat’ to Islam at UFC 330, lauds ‘excellent’ takedown defense