“Charles Is Going to Teach Him How to Tap Fast” – Islam Makhachev Shrugs Off Ian Garry Training With Charles Oliveira, Reveals Blueprint for UFC 330 

After the chaos of International Fight Week, the UFC heads to Philadelphia for UFC 330 on August 15 at the Xfinity Arena. In the main event, Islam Makhachev will make the first defense of his welterweight title against Ian Garry. For Garry, this title shot is the realization of a vision he has been speaking into existence for years. 

The Irish contender believes he has everything it takes to become the first fighter to beat Makhachev since 2015. He has even outlined his ideal scenario: dominating the Dagestani for four rounds before finding a finish in the fifth.

Makhachev, though, has a very different plan. The reigning champion and his team have once again set up camp at Nick Catone MMA in New Jersey for the final phase of training, with just over two weeks left before fight night. While attending Zuffa Boxing 9 alongside Turki Alalshikh and Dana White, Makhachev was asked about his approach to facing Garry.

Without revealing too much, the champion explained that the key challenge in preparing for Garry is dealing with his constant movement inside the cage. 

Speaking to MMA Fighting, Makhachev said, “His skills, I just have to run in this camp too much because I have to follow him. He has the same style always. I will try to catch him, take him down, just what I did with my old opponents.”

One of the recent changes to Garry’s preparation has been his move to Chute Boxe Diego Lima in Brazil, where he has been training alongside former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira. Given Makhachev submitted Oliveira with an arm-triangle choke at UFC 280, many believe the Brazilian could still offer valuable insight to help sharpen Garry’s grappling.

Makhachev, however, isn’t buying into that narrative as he joked, “Charles is going to teach him how to tap fast. That’s it.”

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Beyond the title fight itself, there is another storyline brewing. Garry has a chance to earn a measure of revenge for Irish MMA after two of the country’s biggest names came up short against members of Makhachev’s camp. Khabib Nurmagomedov famously submitted Conor McGregor at UFC 229 in one of the biggest fights in UFC history, while Usman Nurmagomedov defeated Paul Hughes twice in the PFL.

Meanwhile, Garry has also weighed in on repeat history. If he pulls off the upset, he would become just the second Irish-born UFC champion while ending Makhachev’s incredible unbeaten run. It’s a scenario that reminds many fans of 2015, when few believed McGregor could dethrone the seemingly untouchable Jose Aldo, only for “The Notorious” to knock him out in just 13 seconds.

Garry believes he can produce a shock of similar magnitude in Philadelphia. Makhachev, though, isn’t losing any sleep over the challenge. He brushed Garry off as just another opponent and reminded everyone that his team is currently 2-0 against Irish fighters.

Islam Makhachev reflects on the Dagestan vs. Ireland rivalry

“There’s nothing between our countries. We’re 2-0, now it’s gonna be 3-0.” pic.twitter.com/ToZgT1g6Qx

— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) July 27, 2026

With training camp entering its final stretch, Makhachev insists he has prepared for every scenario and is confident his team has done everything necessary to ensure his first welterweight title defense ends with his 17th consecutive victory inside the Octagon at UFC 330.