In a sport where every statement carries weight, Islam Makhachev’s reaction to Ian Garry’s training camp in Georgia goes far beyond technical commentary. It reflects a fighting philosophy rooted in the Dagestani school of combat.
A potential challenger for the reigning champion of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Ian Garry decided to travel to Georgia to sharpen his wrestling. Many interpreted the move as a strategic attempt to prepare for Makhachev’s strongest weapon. Yet the Dagestani champion dismissed the idea, arguing that wrestling cannot be mastered in two or three months. In his view, it is a craft built over years, starting in childhood.
This perspective aligns with the legacy of Khabib Nurmagomedov and the tradition of Sambo. Within that system, grappling is not just a skillset but a cultural foundation — a lifelong discipline shaped by repetition and structure.
😁Islam Makhachev fires back at Gordon Ryan after he claimed BJJ works better than Combat Sambo in a street fight
🗣️What are you gonna do?Lay down?
Sambo is much better than JiuJitsu for a street fight.We actually used it a lot…We just beat some BJJ guys recently aughs
🎥Ushata pic.twitter.com/GOzT4RkinF— mmamag.ma (@jamalsoussi10) February 19, 2026
Still, the global landscape tells a broader story. While Makhachev naturally promotes sambo, the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has spread worldwide and become the universal language of modern ground fighting. Through institutions such as the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation, BJJ has established itself as a global standard. Sambo remains highly effective, yet its international expansion has not matched the explosive growth of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Beyond the technical debate lies a psychological layer. By calling Garry’s decision a “serious mistake,” Makhachev may be engaging in strategic mind games, testing his potential opponent’s confidence as much as his preparation.
Ultimately, this is more than a discussion about a training camp in Georgia. It is a clash of identities — Soviet-influenced grappling discipline versus the worldwide rise of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. And as always in the UFC, the final answer will come not through words, but inside the cage.
