Credit: Mike Roach/Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov wasn’t happy with Islam Makhachev after the UFC 330 pre-fight press conference.
Tensions are ramping up between UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev and top contender Ian Machado Garry just hours before their fight at UFC 330. At Thursday’s pre-fight press conference, Makhachev used part of his mic time to say that not many in the UFC organization are fond of Garry or his personality.
Makhachev, the UFC’s pound-for-pound king, garnered praise from Garry during the pre-fight press conference. As Makhachev answered a question about Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov’s influence, Garry interrupted to say how ‘proud’ the late coach would’ve been of him ahead of UFC 330.
In response, Makhachev told Garry to ‘Shut up’ in a tense moment during the presser. Khabib Nurmagomedov, Makhachev’s longtime mentor and friend, didn’t support his protege’s behavior.
Khabib Nurmagomedov scolds Islam Makhachev for presser treatment of Ian Machado Garry
In a recent episode of Anatomy of a Fighter, Nurmagomedov reacted to Makhachev’s surprising response to Garry’s praise.
Khabib called out Islam Makhachev for telling Ian Garry to “shut up” after Ian had actually shown him respect 😂
“I paid for their English classes for one year. They learned nothing. Ian Garry, who was talking very nicely about him, he said, ‘Shut up.’
Sometimes, when you don’t… pic.twitter.com/NYJN8x03IH
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) August 14, 2026
“I told these guys – I paid for their English classes for one year! They learned nothing,” Nurmagomedov said of Makhachev.
“Ian Garry, who was talking very nicely about him, and [Islam] says ‘Shut up’. Be nice, brother. Sometimes, when you don’t like somebody, and they give you respect, at least be quiet. Don’t say, ‘Shut up.”
Makhachev seemed to take Nurmagomedov’s quip in stride as he finished his final preparations for UFC 330. If he’s victorious, Makhachev would eclipse Anderson Silva for the longest winning streak in UFC history.
Makhachev isn’t the only fighter who’s annoyed with some of Garry’s recent interviews. UFC welterweight Uros Medic went off on Garry after the top welterweight contender endorsed universal female leadership.
What is your prediction for Islam Makhachev vs. Ian Machado Garry? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM
