RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesIan
Garry believes Islam
Makhachev is significantly shorter than he is, despite the
minimal height difference at their first face-off.
Garry (17-1) is set to challenge Makhachev (28-1) for the
Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight title at UFC
330 on Aug. 15 at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia. At
6-foot-3 tall, Garry officially has a 5-inch height advantage over
Makhachev. However, they were nearly eye-to-eye when they faced off
for the first time in front of the iconic Rocky statue in
Philly. Ian Garry addresses lack of height difference in first face-off
with Islam Makhachev
Garry claims Makhachev was wearing high heels to nullify the height
difference. The Irishman is sure that he’ll be significantly taller
during the ceremonial weigh-in face-offs, where they both have to
wear the same type of shoes.
“He was wearing high heels,” Garry said in an interview with
Paramount+. “He was wearing stilettos. Wait till you see Friday
night when we’re both wearing the same shoes… Because we’re
obligated to wear the same shoes.”
Makhachev refuted Garry’s accusations, claiming to have worn
regular shoes during the face-off. The Dagestani champion also says
that he has grown bigger since the UFC first recorded his official
height at 5-foot-10 before his Octagon debut in 2015.
“It’s regular shoes, nothing special,” Makhachev said. “And that
number which I have right now is because UFC check my [height] when
I debuted 10-11 years ago. UFC have to check again. I have become
big right now. I’m welterweight, no more lightweight.” A career-defining clash 👊 @MAKHACHEVMMA
vs @iangarryMMA
[ #UFC330
| LIVE SAT AUG 15 | 9pmET on @ParamountPlus
] pic.twitter.com/LIs18fqJWq —
UFC (@ufc) August
12, 2026 Was Islam
Makhachev wearing "puffed up" shoes during his face off with
Ian
Machado Garry? 🤔
[ #UFC330
| SAT Aug 15 9pm ET on @paramountplus
] pic.twitter.com/f2MVC5K4HS —
UFC on Paramount+ (@UFConParamount)
August 12, 2026
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