Khabib: Ian Garry's size, style could trouble Islam Makhachev

Khabib Nurmagomedov expects Islam Makhachev to have his hands full with Ian Garry when the two meet for the welterweight title in August.

Makhachev defends the belt against Garry at UFC 330 on Aug. 15 in Philadelphia, and his longtime coach told the Smol Talk podcast that Garry poses problems the Dagestani has never encountered. Makhachev has never fought anyone Garry's size — the challenger stands six-foot-four — and will have to close distance on an elusive striker for potentially five rounds, Khabib said, per Sherdog. "We'll have to chase him, close the distance, grab him, and take him down," he said. "Spending five rounds with this opponent won't be easy."

Age gap and training camp concerns for Makhachev

Nurmagomedov pointed to the six-year age difference between the fighters. Makhachev turns 35 later this year while Garry is 29. Pairing that gap with the stylistic mismatch makes this a difficult assignment, the former lightweight champion said. American Kickboxing Academy head Javier Mendez recently told reporters that PFL champion Usman Nurmagomedov is helping mimic Garry's movement in camp.

Garry has won 10 UFC bouts and lost only once as a pro, a decision to Shavkat Rakhmonov last year. Makhachev rides a 16-fight UFC win streak that ties Anderson Silva's record. A win at UFC 330 would break the mark and give him his first welterweight title defense after moving up from lightweight.

Reported via:

• Sherdog — Khabib Nurmagomedov thinks Ian Garry could make life miserable for Islam Makhachev