During their UFC 330 pre-fight press conference in Philadelphia on Thursday, Islam Makhachev (28-1) was firmly the crowd favorite, while Ian Machado Garry (17-1) received loud boos whenever he spoke. Garry insisted the reception did not affect him.
“I couldn’t care less,” Garry said. “My little boy is here laughing and smiling. I’m living the dream.”
The Irishman said he had dreamed of fighting for a UFC title since he was 16 and predicted the crowd would support him if he wins on Saturday.
Makhachev was unsurprised by the hostility toward his opponent.
“Nobody likes Ian Garry, myself also,” Makhachev said. “He’s losing fans by the second.”
When Garry suggested the late Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov would be proud of Makhachev’s achievements, the champion replied:
“Shut up.”
Makhachev will defend his welterweight title while pursuing a UFC-record 17th consecutive victory. Garry is aiming to become Ireland’s latest UFC champion.