Coach Javier Mendez names Ian Garry’s biggest weapon against Islam Makhachev

Javier Mendez, founder of the American Kickboxing Academy and longtime coach to champions including Khabib Nurmagomedov, Luke Rockhold, Cain Velasquez, and Daniel Cormier, believes Ian Garry's mental strength and confidence will be his greatest advantage when he challenges Islam Makhachev for the UFC welterweight title at UFC 330 on August 15 at the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.

While Makhachev's elite grappling is widely considered the defining factor in the matchup, Mendez sees Garry's mindset as a legitimate counterweight. "Ian Garry's mental game is huge," Mendez told NewBettingSites, emphasizing that mental strength paired with realistic expectations and proper planning creates results. He contrasted this approach with the pitfalls of unfounded overconfidence, citing Ilia Topuria's recent title loss to Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250 as a cautionary tale.

Mendez projected that the bout will extend the full five rounds with Garry winning each, cautioning against making unrealistic predictions that don't serve the fighter. He acknowledged that Makhachev could finish earlier, but refused to stake the fight on such an outcome. The coach's philosophy centers on the difference between healthy confidence rooted in preparation and reckless overconfidence—a distinction he believes separates fighters who succeed from those who fail when facing elite competition at championship level.