Ian
Garry is drawing inspiration from Sean
Strickland ahead of his maiden title bid in the
Ultimate Fighting Championship.
Garry (17-1) believes he can pull off an upset and emerge
victorious when he takes on welterweight champion Islam
Makhachev (28-1) in the main event of UFC 330
at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia on Aug. 15. The Irishman is
high in confidence, especially considering the last two numbered
events ended in big upsets.
Ian Garry is looking to replicate Sean Strickland’s
success
Garry questions those who aren’t giving him a chance against
Makhachev and points to Strickland’s win over the previously
unbeaten Khamzat
Chimaev at UFC
328.
“If people think when Sean Strickland goes out and beats Khamzat
Chimaev and upsets the apple cart, and no one expected, no one can
sit here and think that it’s impossible that I can beat Islam
Makhachev,” He told Paul Browne.
“The Future” added that he’s a far more well-rounded fighter than
Strickland and that the combination of his skills and intelligence
will be challenging for Makhachev to handle.
“If anything, I’m a far more dangerous threat. I’m far more
complete and I have way, way, way more ways of winning that fight.
I am the most dangerous opponent for Islam Makhachev, and it’s my
job to go out and prove that. My mindset, my vision, and my fight
IQ… Three things that can’t be taught. You either have them or you
don’t.”
Garry is coming off decision wins over former champion Belal
Muhammad and Carlos Prates, while Makhachev won the welterweight
title by beating Jack
Della Maddalena. Furthermore, while the former is motivated by
recent underdog victories, the latter is looking to surpass
Anderson
Silva by breaking the record for most consecutive UFC wins.