Ian Garry believes he has faced tougher opponents than Islam Makhachev has

Ian Garry asserted that his recent opponents have been tougher than Islam Makhachev's, a claim made ahead of their UFC 330 title bout. The welterweight matchup at UFC 330 pits Ian Garry vs Islam Makhachev for the Ultimate Fighting Championship title on Aug. 15 in Philadelphia. Garry compared strength of schedule, citing Belal Muhammad, Carlos Prates, Shavkat Rakhmonov, Michael Page and Geoff Neal in his last five, with only Rakhmonov beating him. He contrasted that with Makhachev's recent run including two defenses vs Alexander Volkanovski, Dustin Poirier, Renato Carneiro, and a welterweight title win over Jack Della Maddalena. Garry, a significant underdog, said each of his recent opponents posed greater size and reach challenges, and made the remarks in an ESPN MMA interview.