Ian Garry is listed at 6’3” with a 74” reach, giving him a considerable size advantage over reigning welterweight champion Islam Makhachev, who clocks in at 5’10” with a 70” reach. But “The Future” didn’t appear to be much bigger when they came face-to-face earlier this week in “The City of Brotherly Love.”
“He was wearing high heels, he was wearing stilettos,” Garry said during the UFC 330 media day. “Wait until you see Friday night, when we are both wearing the same shoes because we are obligated to wear the same shoes. Watch, wait, and see then.”
Was Islam Makhachev wearing "puffed up" shoes during his face off with Ian Machado Garry? 🤔
— UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount) August 12, 2026
[ #UFC330 | SAT Aug 15 9pm ET on @paramountplus ] pic.twitter.com/f2MVC5K4HS
“No, it’s regular shoes, nothing special,” Makhachev replied. “That number I have right now, it’s because the UFC checked when I had my debut 10 or 11 years ago. The UFC have to check again. I’ve become big right now. I’m a welterweight, no more lightweight.”
Makhachev moved up from lightweight to capture the 170-pound crown from Jack Della Maddalena and looks to make his first welterweight title defense against Garry atop the UFC 330 fight card on Sat. night (Aug. 15, 2026) at Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
For much more on that upcoming showdown click here.