Mendez On Garry's Trash Talk Before Makhachev Fight

Javier Mendez has given Ian Garry the green light to talk his way into the Islam Makhachev title fight with one clear boundary.

The American Kickboxing Academy head coach told NewBettingSites that Garry's promotional efforts ahead of the UFC 330 welterweight championship bout have stayed on the right side of the line. Mendez drew a firm distinction between acceptable hype and crossing into personal territory.

Where Mendez Draws The Line On Pre-Fight Promotion

"Between Ian and Ali, it's good to build the drama and make it interesting for the fans," Mendez said, per Sherdog. "Garry is doing all the right things and saying all the stuff to make the fight more interesting — without going overboard, of course. As long as it has nothing to do with the country, family or religion."

The veteran cornerman dismissed any comparisons between the Aug. 15 matchup at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia and the toxic Khabib Nurmagomedov-Conor McGregor feud. Mendez noted that Garry has avoided the disrespectful approach McGregor took before UFC 229.

Makhachev carries a 28-1 record into his first defense of the welterweight strap he captured last year. A win over the 17-1 Garry would give the Dagestani the longest win streak in UFC history.

Reported via:

• Sherdog — Islam Makhachev's coach welcomes Ian Garry's trash talk with one exception