Dana White criticizes Ian Machado Garry for lack of ‘killer instinct’ against Islam Makhachev at UFC 330

UFC CEO Dana White criticized Ian Machado Garry's cautious approach during the final round of his welterweight title challenge against Islam Makhachev at UFC 330, suggesting a more aggressive finish attempt could have changed the outcome.

Makhachev entered the fifth and final round ahead on the scorecards in what had been a competitive back-and-forth contest. However, instead of mounting an all-out assault to secure a potential upset victory, Garry opened the round with handshakes and hugs—a decision that visibly frustrated White.

At the post-fight press conference, White outlined what he saw as Garry's missed opportunity. "If he had even an ounce of killer instinct in that fifth round, he had been beating him to the body," White said, noting that Makhachev's right side and face were heavily damaged. "You don't come out and hug and shake hands in the fifth round." White suggested Garry should have attempted a flying knee or another aggressive technique to finish the fight while stakes were highest.

White theorized that a more combative approach could have altered the fight's trajectory. Instead, Makhachev secured a takedown, took Garry's back, and controlled him on the ground through the final five minutes to secure the victory and his first title defense. The win also extended Makhachev's winning streak to 17 consecutive victories, breaking Anderson Silva's UFC record.

White believed the upset was there for Garry to seize. "This is my honest opinion on it: I felt like tonight was set up for the upset," he said, highlighting Garry's size, range, and notably strong takedown defense as tools that could have been leveraged more decisively. Ultimately, Garry's passive fifth round cost him the title opportunity.