Coach believes Islam Makhachev doesn’t have to take Ian Garry down

Islam Makhachev's striking ability should not be underestimated heading into his first UFC welterweight title defense, according to his coach Javier Mendez. While the undefeated Dagestani is renowned for his wrestling and grappling prowess, Mendez believes Makhachev can defeat challenger Ian Garry on the feet alone, downplaying the perception that Makhachev must rely solely on takedowns.

Makhachev has developed his striking considerably over his career. He held his own against elite striker Dustin Poirier and finished Alexander Volkanovski with a striking-based head kick in their featherweight title bout, demonstrating well-rounded offensive capabilities beyond the mat.

Makhachev's title defense against Garry (17-1) is set for UFC 330 on August 15 at the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia. The matchup pits Makhachev's grappling dominance against Garry's evasive striking approach. Makhachev recently admitted that he played it safe during his welterweight title win over Jack Della Maddalena, prioritizing victory while pursuing a second championship belt. He has vowed to take more risks against Garry in pursuit of a finish, suggesting he may indeed look to showcase his evolving striking arsenal rather than default purely to wrestling.