Islam Makhachev urged Ian Machado Garry to “shut up” at their pre-fight press conference on Thursday, as the divisive Irish star answered an emotional question on the Russian’s behalf.
On Saturday, Makhachev will defend his welterweight title against Machado Garry in the main event of UFC 330, where a victory for the champion would see him break the all-time record for consecutive UFC wins, which stands at 16.
Makhachev, 34, is the UFC’s pound-for-pound No 1 fighter, but he faces an intriguing test against Machado Garry, 28, who has a versatile skillset and has lost just once as a professional.
There had been little trash talk between the opponents before Thursday’s press conference, but Makhachev took exception when Machado Garry tried to speak on his behalf, after the Russian was asked about his mentor – the late Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov, father to UFC great Khabib, one of Makhachev’s childhood friends.
When Makhachev was asked what Abdulmanap would think of his achievements since the latter’s death in 2020, with Makhachev having since become a two-weight champion, Makhachev was coy.
The former lightweight king made no mention of Abdulmanap, while saying he should not discuss his place in the sport or any records until after UFC 330, but Machado Garry interrupted: “He’d be proud of him, look at what he’s done.
“He’d be... sorry, champ, can I answer this for you? Can I answer that, though? He’d be proud of him. Look at what he’s done in the sport.
“He’s carried the flag for his country, won two world titles. It’s impossible for any man not to be proud of what this man has done. He’s the best fighter on the planet.”
Throughout Machado Garry’s answer, Makhachev repeatedly asked the Irishman to “shut up”.
Earlier in the press conference, Machado Garry shut down a question from one reporter, who asked Makhachev if he found his opponent “annoying”, a sentiment that some fans have expressed.
“That’s a loaded question,” Machado Garry said. “What you’re doing now is just trying to cause trouble. Don’t do it, we’re friends. I thought we were cool, don’t do it.
“That’s just putting words in his f***ing mouth, and you know it. If he finds that, he can be honest and he can say it, but your job as a journalist is to be professional and stick to the f***ing sport.
“This is the biggest fight of the year, I think there’s more important things to talk about.”
Machado Garry’s comments followed his media-day appearance on Wednesday, where – before fielding questions – he urged reporters not to address any personal matters.