Islam Makhachev breaks down Ian Machado Garry’s style heading into UFC 330
UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev has looked ahead to his upcoming clash with Ian Machado Garry, noting what he expects to see from the Irishman on fight night.
As we know, in the main event of UFC 330, Islam Makhachev will defend the UFC welterweight championship against Ian Machado Garry. Machado Garry has waited a long time for his title opportunity, whereas Makhachev has spent the last few years putting together quite the run of form, establishing himself as one of the best fighters of this generation.
Of course, Islam Makhachev isn’t an idiot, and he knows that Ian Machado Garry will pose some serious problems for him in their bout. Sure, Islam could always go in there and make it look easy, but Ian isn’t the kind of guy who is likely to go down without a fight.
In a recent interview, Islam Makhachev opened up on what stands between him and successfully retaining the belt.
Islam Makhachev discusses Ian Machado Garry’s style
“Style-wise, he’s a tricky fighter,” Makhachev said of Machado Garry in a translated interview with Red Corner MMA. “He constantly runs away, fights on the backfoot. His opponents always have to chase him. I wouldn’t say he’s an entertaining fighter. From this perspective, (Michael) Morales, for example, he can wrestle, he goes forward. But ‘going forward’ has nothing to do with Ian Garry.”
“As I said before, it doesn’t work that way,” Makhachev said. “You can’t learn how to wrestle within three-four months or even half a year. (Jack) Della Maddalena worked on that, too, brought some guys in his camp. He spent his whole camp on it, and what? I had five attempts, and I took him down all five times.”
Quotes via MMA Junkie
Islam knows that he’s going to have his hands full with Machado Garry, but given his vast experience and the level of competition he’s faced before, you would have to imagine he will still fancy his chances as he attempts to cement himself as one of the best to ever do it. Either way, we’re in for one hell of a night of scraps.
