Islam Makhachev responded to his future opponent's statements

Islam Makhachev has hit back at future opponent Ian Machado Harry.

UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev has hit back at Irish fighter Ian Machado Harry's comments about his recent opponents. Harry previously claimed that his last five opponents were stronger than Makhachev's five.

"This guy doesn't even respect his teammate Charles Oliveira. And when he fought a good opponent, he lost. Shavkat Rakhmonov won four out of five rounds with complete control," said the UFC welterweight champion.

The Irish fighter lost to Shavkat Rakhmonov by unanimous decision in 2024. This is considered the only defeat in his career. Harry has since won over Carlos Prates and Bilal Muhammad.

Now, Ian Machado Harry will fight for the championship belt against Islam Makhachev on August 16 at the UFC 330 tournament.

Islam Makhachev is currently on a 16-fight winning streak in the UFC. His professional record is 28 wins and 1 loss. The Russian fighter last won the welterweight title at UFC 322 in New York by unanimous decision over former champion Jack Della Maddalena of Australia, becoming one of the only fighters in UFC history to win the title in two weight classes.

Ian Machado Harry fought his last fight on November 22, 2025 at the UFC Fight Night tournament in Qatar against Palestinian Bilal Muhammad, winning by unanimous decision. The 28-year-old Irishman's professional record is 17 wins (8 of which were by knockout) and 1 loss.