Garry prepares for title shot with symbolic gesture ahead of UFC 330
Ian Garry’s confidence is evident as he prepares for his first official UFC welterweight title bout against Islam Makhachev next weekend.
Irish mixed martial artist Ian Garry has placed an empty picture frame on his wall at home, a symbolic gesture anticipating a victory over current UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev. The display underscores Garry’s confidence as he approaches UFC 330 next weekend, which marks his first official title shot in the organisation.
Garry, who holds a 10-1 record in the UFC, is set to challenge Makhachev in the main event. The champion recently moved up to welterweight to capture the title by defeating Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322 in November 2025. Makhachev remains the pound-for-pound king and has not lost a bout in over a decade.
Despite the champion’s dominant streak, Garry has expressed a clear belief in his ability to secure the victory. Speaking with his new manager, Eddie Hearn, ahead of the fight, Garry acknowledged Makhachev’s talent but maintained his own conviction. “As much as I respect Islam, as much as I know how good he is, and I know how talented he is, I know that I can beat him if I go out there and do what I believe I can do,” Garry said.
The matchup presents significant challenges for the Irishman. Most observers are picking Makhachev to defeat Garry handily, citing Garry’s perceived weaknesses in his ground game against a champion with such a long undefeated record. However, Garry has remained cool and collected in the lead-up to the bout.
While past comparisons between Garry and Conor McGregor have been deemed unwarranted by some, his current demeanor draws parallels to McGregor’s rise to stardom. The outcome of UFC 330 remains uncertain, with the result determining whether Garry captures the undisputed welterweight title or returns to the contender line.
