Islam Makhachev and Ian Garry face off during the UFC 330press conference. | đź“·: Chris Unger/Zuffa/Getty
Striker vs. grappler. Size vs. strength. Ireland vs. Russia. TheUFC330 main event on Saturday has fans and analysts intrigued bythe technical and tactical possibilities of a five-roundchampionship fight between IslamMakhachev and IanGarry.
The matchup presents a stark contrast in styles. Garry will look touse his length, movement and striking to control the fight atdistance, while Makhachev figures to rely on his physical strength,pressure and elite grappling to bring the action to the canvas. Howeffectively each man can impose his preferred range could determinewho leaves the Octagon with the belt.
Sherdog.com Rio de Janeiro correspondent Marcelo Alonso spoke tofour Brazilian specialists, all of whom expect a difficult,competitive fight. Three picked Makhachev to remain undefeated,while only one predicted Garry would leave the Octagon aschampion.
Fighting Nerds coach Pablo Sucupira sees a path for Ian Garryto upset Islam Makhachev
Fighting Nerds head coach Pablo Sucupira: “One thing peopledon’t realize is that there’s a big physical disparity in thisdivision. There are fighters at 170 pounds who could fight at 155,but there are others who could fight at 185. [Jack Della] Madalena,for example, isn’t a big 170-pounder, while Garry is very big.[Carlos] Prates, who looked big against JDM, looked small next toGarry. Garry is much bigger than Islam. Unlike Madalena, Garrydoesn’t load up on his strikes. He uses his lead hand very well tocontrol the distance and angles. It’s not easy to take him down andkeep him on the bottom. In my opinion, he has the right game tobeat Makhachev.”
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Ian Garry can shock Islam Makhachev, but three experts stillback the champ
UFC welterweight contender MichaelOliveira: “Islam Makhachev has already been knocked out. Idon’t see him making that mistake again by straying from his gameplan. Sooner or later, he will get to Ian Garry and impose hisgame. I see Islam winning in the third or fourth round.”
Porrada Training Center head coach RonnyMarkes: “Distance control will be a key factor for Garry. If heis able to prevent Makhachev from closing the distance and take himdown, or frustrate his takedown attempts, he can surprise him.Because once the fight goes to the ground, Islam is on a differentlevel. I watched him training here at the PI against an ADCCchampion, a Brazilian who was more than 10 kilograms heavier, undergrappling rules. It was an incredibly tough session, and Islam onlylost by two or three points in that grappling sparring session.Islam has the cardio to fight hard for five rounds. If he managesto get the fight to the ground, he’ll create serious problems.Ian’s best chance is to use his reach and keep the fight atstriking distance.”
Astra Fight Team head coach Marcelo Brigadeiro: “People aresaying that this is a different weight division and that Islam issmaller, but I don’t see it that way. The Russian is used totraining with heavier guys at AKA. He also had a hard time making155 pounds. Now he will be stronger at welterweight. I believeIslam Makhachev will once again impose his game and keep thebelt.”
