RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 3 sourcesIslam Makhachev and Ian Garry face off during the UFC 330
press conference. | 📷: Chris Unger/Zuffa/Getty
Striker vs. grappler. Size vs. strength. Ireland vs. Russia. The
UFC
330 main event on Saturday has fans and analysts intrigued by
the technical and tactical possibilities of a five-round
championship fight between Islam
Makhachev and Ian
Garry .
The matchup presents a stark contrast in styles. Garry will look to
use his length, movement and striking to control the fight at
distance, while Makhachev figures to rely on his physical strength,
pressure and elite grappling to bring the action to the canvas. How
effectively each man can impose his preferred range could determine
who leaves the Octagon with the belt.
Sherdog.com Rio de Janeiro correspondent Marcelo Alonso spoke to
four 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 as
champion. Fighting Nerds coach Pablo Sucupira sees a path for Ian Garry
to upset Islam Makhachev
Fighting Nerds head coach Pablo Sucupira: “One thing people
don’t realize is that there’s a big physical disparity in this
division. 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 to
Garry. Garry is much bigger than Islam. Unlike Madalena, Garry
doesn’t load up on his strikes. He uses his lead hand very well to
control the distance and angles. It’s not easy to take him down and
keep him on the bottom. In my opinion, he has the right game to
beat Makhachev.” Ian Garry can shock Islam Makhachev, but three experts still
back the champ
UFC welterweight contender Michael
Oliveira : “Islam Makhachev has already been knocked out. I
don’t see him making that mistake again by straying from his game
plan. Sooner or later, he will get to Ian Garry and impose his
game. I see Islam winning in the third or fourth round.”
Porrada Training Center head coach Ronny
Markes : “Distance control will be a key factor for Garry. If he
is able to prevent Makhachev from closing the distance and take him
down, or frustrate his takedown attempts, he can surprise him.
Because once the fight goes to the ground, Islam is on a different
level. I watched him training here at the PI against an ADCC
champion, a Brazilian who was more than 10 kilograms heavier, under
grappling rules. It was an incredibly tough session, and Islam only
lost by two or three points in that grappling sparring session.
Islam has the cardio to fight hard for five rounds. If he manages
to get the fight to the ground, he’ll create serious problems.
Ian’s best chance is to use his reach and keep the fight at
striking distance.”
Astra Fight Team head coach Marcelo Brigadeiro: “People are
saying that this is a different weight division and that Islam is
smaller, but I don’t see it that way. The Russian is used to
training with heavier guys at AKA. He also had a hard time making
155 pounds. Now he will be stronger at welterweight. I believe
Islam Makhachev will once again impose his game and keep the
belt.”
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