Islam Makhachev tells Ian Garry he's ready: ‘Waiting for contract'
UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev has responded to Ian Garry’s public prodding about his return timeline, telling the Irish contender that he’s ready whenever the promotion sends paperwork.
Garry took to social media earlier this week to question the legitimacy of Makhachev’s hand injury and suggest the champion has been dragging his feet on a potential showdown. “First you say you have a hand injury, Dana said August, you’re saying July — I’ve been ready since you last turned me down in May,” Garry wrote, per MMA Mania. “We’re all waiting on you princess.”
Makhachev, who captured the 170-pound strap from Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322 in November, clapped back Friday with a direct message. “Don’t worry about my injuries,” the Dagestani wrote on X. “I’m ready at any time. I’m waiting for the contract.”
UFC 330 in Philadelphia target for Makhachev vs Garry
According to journalist Alvaro Colmenero, UFC matchmakers are working toward booking Makhachev against the No. 2-ranked Garry for UFC 330 on Aug. 15 at the Xfinity Center in Philadelphia. The bout would mark Makhachev’s first welterweight title defense after a six-month layoff attributed to hand rehab and his annual observance of Ramadan.
Garry carries a 10-1 UFC record into the matchup, with his lone loss coming against Shavkat Rakhmonov. The Irish contender holds a five-inch height advantage over Makhachev and has shown competent grappling defense off his back in past bouts. Makhachev figures to close as a sizable favourite if the fight is finalized, with his decorated submission game and pound-for-pound pedigree weighing heavily against Garry’s untested championship experience.
The promotion has not yet announced UFC 330 officially, but Philadelphia has been floated as a potential landing spot for a major summer card. Makhachev’s camp has said July is realistic for his return, while UFC president Dana White mentioned August as the likely window.
Photo: Oisinvg / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Original reporting:
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