Javier Mendez has defended Ian Garry’s approach in his UFC 330 defeat to Islam Makhachev, disagreeing with Dana White’s assessment of the Irishman’s performance in the welterweight title fight.

Makhachev retained the UFC welterweight championship with a unanimous decision victory over Garry in the August 15 main event. White later criticised Garry for being too passive and overly respectful of the champion, arguing that his approach cost him the opportunity to win the fight.

“From that perspective, I get where he [Dana] is coming from, but he doesn’t understand the mentality of a fighter and what Ian pulled off,” said Mendez, according to Sherdog. “If he understood that, then he’d have a different outlook on it like I do.”

Mendez, the American Kickboxing Academy head coach, acknowledged that the contest lacked action but said he was impressed by Garry’s strategy. Garry largely relied on defensive counter-striking, while Makhachev remained cautious about overextending himself. “I understand this more than anybody, probably, on the mental side of it and what I saw from Ian was so impressive,” said Mendez.

“The fight was somewhat lacklustre. So, yeah, the Dana thing, you know, I get it, where he’s coming from. But from the mentality of a coach, where I’m coming from… Being a coach, that was genius on Ian’s part,” said Mendez.

The result leaves Makhachev in possession of the UFC welterweight title following his decision victory, while Garry will look to rebound after falling short in his championship challenge. Mendez’s comments offer a contrasting assessment of the Irishman’s tactics, with the veteran coach praising an approach White believed prevented Garry from doing enough to take the title.