Ian
Garry has been training with Georgian wrestlers ahead of UFC 330. |
📷: Getty/UFC
Ian
Garry is pulling out all the stops in preparation for his
maiden title bid in the
Ultimate Fighting Championship.
The Irish welterweight recently revealed that he trained with elite
Georgian wrestlers to better prepare for reigning champion Islam
Makhachev’s world-class grappling prowess. Garry and Makhachev
are set to lock horns in the main event of UFC
330 on Aug. 15 in Philadelphia.
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Ian Garry explains wrestling preparation for Islam Makhachev at
UFC 330
Garry has worked on bridging the skill gap between himself and
Makhachev on the mat ahead of their bout. “The Future” even
traveled to Georgia back in February to improve his wrestling
skills.
“It was to feel elite, high-level wrestling, to feel a wrestling
that Ireland does not have, that England does not have. That a lot
of Europe does not have,” Garry told The Irish Sun when asked why he made the trip.
“Georgia are very, very into their martial arts. They’re very into
their judo, their wrestling. They’re phenomenal at all those
sports.”
“I felt their power. I felt their speed. I felt the technique,” he
added. “I got ragdolled for a number of days, and I loved every bit
of it. And it helped set me and start my plan.”
Garry earned his title shot with wins over Carlos
Prates and former champion Belal
Muhammad. Meanwhile, Makhachev vacated the lightweight title
and won the welterweight belt by defeating Jack
Della Maddalena. Notably, Garry’s lone career loss came at the
hands of Shavkat
Rakhmonov, who got the better of the Irish 170-pounder in
wrestling exchanges back in 2024.