Garry insists he beats Makhachev 'right now' after UFC 330 decision loss

Ian Machado Garry says he would beat Islam Makhachev in a rematch held today, despite losing a competitive decision to the pound-for-pound No. 1 at UFC 330 in August. Speaking at the sidelines of Katie Taylor’s final fight at Croke Park in Dublin, the Irish welterweight was defiant about both his performance and his future.

“I feel like if I fight him right now, I beat him,” Garry said. “I have so much confidence in myself, so much confidence in my team and the preparation that we do. I just want to get back in there tomorrow and do it all over again.”

Garry was broadly positive about his showing against the champion, crediting his preparation and his team, while acknowledging one clear tactical regret. “I definitely think the biggest thing I could’ve done was a bit more volume,” he said. “A bit more me, a bit more kicks, more venom in the shots to the head. But at the end of the day, when you’re stood in front of a man who has been able to beat everyone he’s stood in front of, it’s difficult to maneuver that.”

The performance did not go without criticism. UFC CEO Dana White took issue with Garry’s approach, suggesting the Irishman showed too much respect for Makhachev and lacked the aggression needed to seriously threaten the champion.

Garry, however, appears unbowed. “Proud, happy, proud of me and my team, my preparation, everything we did,” he said. “Obviously, annoyed by the result, that’s the fight game. We get back on the horse, we go again. Because I’ve got 10 years in this sport to be at the highest level, fight the baddest men in the world, beat them, and prove that I’m one of the baddest men walking the planet.”

On the question of his next outing in the stacked 170-pound division, Garry says he is ready to move immediately and is simply waiting on a call. “As soon as physically possible,” he said. “Anyone, anywhere, anytime, go back in there, prove I’m one of the baddest men on the planet. Don’t stop.”