The UFC president slams the Irishman’s performance against Makhachev, despite a notable defensive resilience

The defeat of Ian Garry against Islam Makhachev at UFC 330 has sparked a wave of reactions, particularly from Dana White, the organization’s president. The latter did not hesitate to highlight the Irishman’s lack of killer instinct in the closing moments of the fight. A criticism that resonates all the more strongly given that Garry, despite his loss, displayed remarkable defensive resilience, notably by countering Makhachev’s takedown attempts.

For Dana White, Garry squandered a golden opportunity to pull off an upset. With a height advantage (1.85 m vs. Makhachev’s 1.78 m) and visible damage on the Russian champion, the Irishman could have capitalized on these assets to dominate the heavy striking exchanges. However, an overly cautious strategy in the final moments prevented Garry from turning the tide. A divisive analysis, with some observers arguing that Garry demonstrated rare tactical maturity against such a formidable champion.

A mixed performance

While Garry impressed with his ability to withstand Makhachev’s onslaught, particularly in defending against takedowns, his lack of aggression in the final moments was criticized. For White, it was this absence of killer instinct that cost the Irishman dearly. Yet, some fans and analysts emphasize that Garry showed an impressive level of tactical maturity against an opponent of this caliber. A performance that, despite the loss, hints at a promising future for the Irish fighter.