Islam Makhachev reveals his game plan for Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330: ‘I have to follow him, he runs too much’ - MMA Fighting

What the report says

MMA Fighting reported that Islam Makhachev is preparing for his first welterweight title defense against Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330, scheduled for Aug. 15. Speaking to the outlet at Zuffa Boxing 9, Makhachev said his tactical focus is on closing distance against Garry, whom he characterized as a fighter who frequently moves away and forces opponents to pursue him.

According to the report, Makhachev said he expects to pressure Garry, catch him, and take him down, comparing the approach to what he has used against previous opponents. The bout comes with Makhachev already positioned as a two-division UFC champion and the promotion’s No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter, adding significance to his first defense at 170 pounds.

MMA Fighting also noted a potential wrinkle in Garry’s preparation: Charles Oliveira, who lost to Makhachev by second-round arm-triangle choke in 2022, is among Garry’s training partners. Makhachev dismissed the idea that Oliveira’s experience would provide Garry a major advantage, joking that Oliveira could only teach him how to tap quickly.

The article framed the matchup as business rather than personal for Makhachev, despite Garry’s Irish background and past losses by Irish fighters to members of Makhachev’s camp, including Conor McGregor’s 2018 defeat to Khabib Nurmagomedov. Makhachev said his camp in New Jersey is going well, with Khabib Nurmagomedov, Javier Mendez, teammates and sparring partners helping him finish preparations at Nick Catone MMA.