Firas Zahabi sees Islam Makhachev retaining his welterweight title at UFC 330, although the TriStar Fitness center coach doesn’t count on Ian Machado Garry to make it easy. Makhachev and Garry headline Saturday’s card at Xfinity Cell Area in Philadelphia, with the champion making his first protection at 170 kilos.
“I’m choosing Islam Makhachev, however let me let you know one thing, this isn’t going to be a straightforward combat,” Zahabi mentioned throughout his UFC 330 breakdown for TriStar Fitness center.
The longtime coach pointed to Garry’s December 2024 resolution loss to Shavkat Rakhmonov as essentially the most helpful tape for assessing the Irish contender’s means to deal with a grappling-heavy opponent. Rakhmonov received that five-round combat by unanimous resolution, but Garry gave him troublesome moments late and almost discovered a submission from his again.
Firas Zahabi Explains Why Islam Makhachev Has The Edge Over Ian Machado Garry
“Ian’s most telling combat is his combat with Shavkat,” Zahabi mentioned. Shavkat held him up in opposition to the fence and clinch; nevertheless, he wasn’t capable of take Ian Garry down in spherical 1.
The official UFC Stats report helps that element. Rakhmonov tried three takedowns within the opening spherical and landed none, whereas registering 3:20 of management time. Throughout 5 rounds, he accomplished two of 10 takedown makes an attempt and held 11:41 of management time, which exhibits how a lot time Garry spent defending positions and dealing again to his ft.
Zahabi’s view is that Makhachev presents a more durable model of that very same drawback. The champion constructed his run at light-weight round takedowns, positional management, submissions and regular strain earlier than vacating the belt and defeating Jack Della Maddalena to assert the welterweight title final November. Makhachev enters Saturday at 28-1, whereas Garry is 17-1.
“However we are able to’t overlook Islam Makhachev is extremely profitable within the clinch,” Zahabi mentioned on UFC 330. “As profitable as Shavkat is, Islam is much more profitable.”
That’s the strain level in Zahabi’s prediction. Garry owns a four-inch attain benefit and has made a profession out of vary administration, straight punches, kicks and motion. The query is whether or not he can hold Makhachev on the finish of these weapons for 25 minutes. UFC Stats lists Garry at 6-foot-3 with a 74-inch attain, in contrast with Makhachev’s 5-foot-10 body and 70-inch attain.
Zahabi believes Makhachev can shut that distance. “I feel Islam can get him to the fence, however take him down,” he mentioned, including that he considers the champion “extra subtle” in grappling exchanges. Garry isn’t any stranger to grappling, as his combat with Rakhmonov confirmed, however Zahabi doesn’t count on that base to discourage Makhachev. “Ian Garry’s a superb grappler, however I don’t suppose it’s going to faze Islam within the least,” he mentioned.
