Makhachev's Manager Fires Back At Garry

Ian Machado Garry's Conor McGregor comparison did not go over well in the Makhachev camp.

Garry drew a parallel between his upcoming UFC 330 title fight and McGregor's thirteen-second knockout of Jose Aldo in 2015, noting that Aldo had been the pound-for-pound number one at the time of that fight just as Makhachev is now. The comparison generated significant social media reaction. Ali Abdelaziz, Makhachev's longtime manager, responded with a point-by-point dismantling of Garry's credentials.

"I've been listening to Islam's opponent talking. Here are the facts: He's 2-1 in his last three fights. He was almost knocked out by Carlos Prates and got saved by the bell. He has 10 wins in the UFC, and 8 of them came by decision. Somebody needs to give this young man a reality check because he's about to get smashed,” Abdelaziz said

Garry's path to the title shot included a narrow escape against Prates — a fight that went badly wrong before the bell saved him — and a record built largely on decisions rather than finishes. The McGregor he is being compared to won thirteen world championships at two weight classes and knocked out the sport's most feared finisher in thirteen seconds. The circumstances have a structural resemblance. The fighters do not.

Makhachev has held the lightweight title, moved to welterweight, and established himself as the consensus pound-for-pound best fighter in the world. His only defeat came in 2015. He won the welterweight belt at UFC 322 last year and faces Garry in his first defence of it at the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia on August 15.

Garry earned the shot through wins over Belal Muhammad, Carlos Prates, and Michael Page — a credible sequence that justified the booking even if the manner of some victories left questions. His striking is widely regarded as his primary advantage over Makhachev, and keeping the fight standing is the only realistic path to an upset.

Garry has identified the comparison he wants to live up to. but Abdelaziz has identified the record that suggests he will not.