Khabib warns Garry's height and elusive style pose real threat to Makhachev at UFC 330

Khabib Nurmagomedov has publicly warned that Islam Makhachev faces one of his toughest tests yet when he defends the UFC welterweight title against Ian Garry at UFC 330 on August 15 at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, citing Garry’s unusual height, elusive movement, and a significant age advantage as factors that could make life difficult for his protégé.

Speaking on the Smol Talk podcast, the Hall of Fame lightweight and Makhachev’s long-time mentor was candid about the stylistic problems Garry (17-1) presents. “We’ve never faced an opponent this tall — 193 cm [6‘4”],” Nurmagomedov said. “We’ll have to chase him, close the distance, grab him, and take him down. It will be a difficult fight. And Islam is almost 35. The stylistic matchup and the age together make this a difficult fight… I expect a hard fight, assuming we don’t get an early finish. Spending five rounds with this opponent won’t be easy. The training camp will be difficult too, first because we have to find someone who can imitate him.”

That problem is already being addressed. American Kickboxing Academy head coach Javier Mendez recently revealed that Professional Fighters League champion Usman Nurmagomedov — Khabib’s cousin — is serving as a Garry stand-in during Makhachev’s training camp, mimicking the Irishman’s reach and movement to help the champion prepare.

Makhachev (28-1) enters the fight unbeaten in 16 straight UFC outings, a run that includes six title defences and ties him with Anderson Silva for the most consecutive wins in UFC history. A victory in Philadelphia would give the Dagestani the record outright.

Garry, 28, has won 10 of his UFC appearances and carries only one professional defeat — a loss to Shavkat Rakhmonov, who is currently sidelined through injury. It is Garry’s first shot at a world title.

For Makhachev, the welterweight division is still relatively new territory. The 34-year-old moved up from lightweight, where he was long considered pound-for-pound among the best in the sport, and this will mark his first welterweight title defence. Khabib’s willingness to flag genuine concerns, rather than offer routine confidence, underlines just how seriously the Dagestani camp is approaching the August showdown.