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Ian Machado Garry \u200bhas the chance to fulfil his prophecy of becoming Ireland\u2019s second UFC champion when he \u200cchallenges Islam Makhachev in Philadelphia on Saturday, but to do so he will have to use his considerable size advantage to dethrone the defending welterweight title holder.<\/strong><\/p>\n Nicknamed \u201cThe Future\u201d, Garry boasts a five-inch height advantage and a four-inch reach advantage over an \u200bopponent who is considered to be one of the sport\u2019s most accomplished fighters.<\/p>\n However, the Irishman enters \u200bthe showdown as a huge underdog against the Dagestani.<\/p>\n \u201cI knew from the moment I \u2060started this sport, I knew the talent that I had, and I knew that with all the talent, \u200bthe discipline, the sacrifice, and the hard work that I knew I would put in, I knew I \u200bwould get here,\u201d Garry told reporters.<\/p>\n \u201cHis (Makhachev\u2019s) legacy is set in stone, do you know what I mean? He\u2019s done so much in this sport, but beating him, it\u2019s exactly the challenge I would want to become the champion of the world.\u201d<\/p>\n Beating \u200bMakhachev is a formidable ask. With a win on Saturday, the 34-year-old will set a new record for \u200bthe longest winning streak in UFC history with 17 victories.<\/p>\n But Garry is confident that his chances of success cannot be \u200cruled \u2060out.<\/p>\n The vast majority of Makhachev\u2019s achievements have come in the lightweight division, where he weighed in 15 pounds lighter than the 170-pound welterweight limit. While the increase in weight will boost his power, Garry\u2019s bigger frame and longer limbs will give him an edge in the striking exchanges.<\/p>\n Much has also been made of Makhachev\u2019s wrestling, \u200bbut the challenger\u2019s background \u200bin judo has given \u2060him a strong defensive grappling game which he has showcased on his rise to become the number one contender.<\/p>\n Should Garry succeed, he will follow Conor McGregor into \u200bthe record books as an Irish UFC champion, and though not nearly as \u200bloud and brash \u2060as his compatriot, the young Dubliner still brims with confidence.<\/p>\n \u201cFor me, to go out there against him, who many consider to be a generational talent \u2026 and have that as the challenge that I have to go out and \u2060beat \u200bto prove, not only I\u2019m the champion of the world, but \u200bI really truly am the best on the planet, it\u2019s exactly what I want,\u201d Garry said.<\/p>\n The title clash between the two headlines the \u200bUFC 330 card at Philadelphia\u2019s Xfinity Mobile Arena on Saturday night.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n