Makhachev celebrates his UFC victory. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/UFC
Islam Makhachev found an unusual way to provoke Ian Garry before UFC 330. The Russian stated that his opponent became Brazilian because of his connection with the country and joked that the duel this Saturday (15), in Philadelphia (USA), can be seen as a confrontation between Russia and Brazil, and not against Ireland.
In an interview with Daniel Cormier 's YouTube channel , available this Thursday (13), Makhachev explained the provocation and highlighted Garry's relationship with Brazil, as he trains at Chute Boxe Diego Lima and is married to a Brazilian. The Russian also stated that his rival continues to train and live in the country where he was born.
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“He is not Irish. He represents Brazil, trains in Brazil, and his family is Brazilian. I don’t know the last time he was Irish. He trains with a Brazilian team. Period. When he got married, he ceased to be Irish. You can’t talk about Russia versus Ireland. Maybe Russia versus Brazil,” said Islam Makhachev.
The statement comes on the eve of one of the biggest challenges of Ian Garry 's career . The Irishman will face Makhachev, who is looking to expand his legacy.
The fight will be for the welterweight title (up to 77,1 kg) and will be the main event of UFC 330. If he wins, the Russian could surpass Anderson Silva 's record , while Garry will try to stop his rival's advance and win the belt for the first time.
Russia vs. Ireland reignites historic rivalry in the UFC.
Khabib Nurmagomedov (left) faces Conor McGregor (right). Photo: Reproduction/Instagram/UFC.
UFC 330 will feature a main event: the welterweight title fight between Islam Makhachev and Ian Garry . Beyond the title bout, the fight also revives a rivalry that marked one of the most emblematic periods in the organization's recent history: Russia versus Ireland.
A disciple of Khabib Nurmagomedov and the leading representative of the Dagestani fighting school today, Makhachev carries on the legacy left by the former undefeated lightweight champion. On the other side, Garry emerges as the main Irish star of the new generation and seeks to repeat the prominence that Conor McGregor brought to the country during his meteoric rise in the event.
Although lacking the personal rivalry that marked the historic confrontation between Khabib and McGregor, the duel puts Russia and Ireland back in the spotlight of the UFC. This time, in addition to national pride, the welterweight title and a prominent position at the highest level of the sport will be at stake.
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