RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. UFC CEO Dana White didn't hold back with his criticism of Ian Machado Garry, explaining that the fighter's loss to Islam Makhachev in the UFC 330 main event Saturday night could've been due to him being too nice to opponents.
Machado Garry fought Makhachev for the UFC Welterweight Championship but was unable to do enough through five rounds to win. Ultimately, Makhachev retained his championship with scores of 49-46, 49-46, and 48-47.
Some felt Machado Garry might be capable of a major upset in the main event fight, but according to White, he was missing what he needed to stage an aggressive attack on Makhachev.
"I think Ian is a talented guy. If he had even an ounce of killer instinct, in that fifth round, you don't come out and hug and shake hands. That [expletive] drives me crazy," White said at his press conference after UFC 330.
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"You come out in that fifth round with a flying knee and try to finish the fight," the UFC CEO suggested, while speaking to reporters.
Following a dominant 15-0 start in his professional career, Machado Garry has now lost two of his past four fights. In addition to his loss on Saturday, he lost in a UFC Welterweight title eliminator by unanimous decision to Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310.
Some of the noticeable niceties that Machado Garry displayed between rounds of his fight with Makhachev included trying to tap him on the back or head and attempting to hug him. He also had something to say to Makhachev, which didn't appear to be trash talk, but rather an attempt to show respect and admiration.
Some suggested that Makhachev also became much more hesitant to try for an aggressive attack after Makhachev dropped him with a kick to the head in the second round.
Machado Garry had the height advantage entering the fight, and despite a good third round with multiple body kicks, and stopping Makhachev's takedown attempts, it wasn't enough to earn the judges' scores.
Most MMA fans will agree that the goal entering the octagon isn't to make friends and build networks, but to destroy opponents, win fights, and claim championships. Unfortunately, it seems Machado Garry won't be able to defeat the likes of Islam Makhachev unless he ditches all the niceness in favor of a more aggressive fight mindset.
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