Islam Makhachev and Machado Garry (Image Via Getty)The physical matchup between Islam Makhachev and Ian Machado Garry has become one of the biggest talking points before UFC 330. Garry will challenge Makhachev for the UFC welterweight title on August 15 in Philadelphia. Many fans believe the Irish fighter’s height and reach could give him an advantage.Garry stands 6-foot-3, while Makhachev is 5-foot-10. That gives Garry a five-inch height advantage and nearly a four-inch reach advantage. However, Makhachev has built his career by overcoming difficult opponents with elite wrestling, smart tactics, and championship experience.Can Ian Garry’s height trouble Islam Makhachev at UFC 330?Ian Machado Garry is confident that his physical advantages can make a real difference against Islam Makhachev. The Irish welterweight believes his height, reach, and striking skills will allow him to test the champion in ways few opponents have managed before.Standing at 6-foot-3, Garry enjoys a five-inch height advantage over the 5-foot-10 Makhachev. He also owns nearly a four-inch reach advantage. Those numbers could become important if Garry succeeds in keeping the fight at striking range.Garry is known for using a sharp jab, quick footwork, and front kicks to control distance. His long frame allows him to hit opponents from the outside while staying out of danger. Against a shorter fighter like Makhachev, that style could help him score points and avoid heavy exchanges.Still, Makhachev has faced taller opponents before. One of the best examples came against Dan Hooker, who also had a noticeable height and reach advantage. Makhachev closed the distance quickly and submitted Hooker in the opening round. That performance showed that physical size alone is not enough to stop the Russian champion.Makhachev’s greatest weapon remains his wrestling and grappling. His ability to secure takedowns often removes an opponent’s striking advantage. A shorter build also gives him a lower center of gravity, making it easier to drive through takedown attempts and control opponents in the clinch.The numbers also favor Makhachev in terms of experience. He enters UFC 330 with a professional record of 28 wins and one loss from 29 fights. Garry has 17 wins and one defeat from 18 professional bouts. That gives Makhachev 11 more professional fights, including several championship contests.Garry does hold one statistical edge. Around 41 percent of his victories have come by stoppage, compared to about 18 percent for Makhachev. The Irish contender has shown he can finish fights when he finds the right opening.Garry earned his first UFC title shot after impressive victories over Carlos Prates and former welterweight champion Belal Muhammad. Those wins convinced many that he belongs among the division’s elite.For Makhachev, this fight is another chance to strengthen his legacy. After moving up from lightweight and winning the welterweight title against Jack Della Maddalena, he now looks to defend the belt for the first time.Height and reach could certainly help Ian Garry if he keeps the fight standing. But if Makhachev succeeds in closing the distance and using his world-class wrestling, those physical advantages may become far less important inside the Octagon.