Makhachev Reveals Plan for Garry: "I Have to Chase Him, He Runs Too Much"

Islam Makhachev is counting down the days until his first welterweight title defense, confident he's prepared for anything Ian Machado Garry throws his way.

In preparation for UFC 330 on August 15th, Makhachev and his team have relocated to New Jersey for their final training camp. The Dagestani fighter aims to build on his remarkable career, which already includes two divisional championships and the pound-for-pound number one ranking. While reluctant to reveal too many secrets, Makhachev is confident enough to share part of his strategy, which is based on scouting Garry and his tendency to constantly strike and move during a fight.

“He always has the same style. I’ll try to catch him, take him to the ground – exactly what I did with my old opponents,” the champion added.

One potential advantage for Garry could be the fact that former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira is one of his primary teammates and training partners. Of course, Oliveira faced Makhachev in 2022, enduring a tough night in their sole encounter.

Makhachev scored an early knockdown against the Brazilian and ultimately secured victory with a nasty arm-triangle choke, forcing Oliveira to submit in the second round. Therefore, the current welterweight champion isn't particularly concerned that Oliveira can contribute significant knowledge to Garry's strategy for UFC 330.

“Charles will teach him how to tap quickly,” Makhachev joked. “That’s all.”

While Garry is known for his verbal jabs at opponents, Makhachev appears unfazed, viewing the upcoming fight as purely professional, with nothing personal at stake.

A potential storyline leading into fight week could be Garry's attempt to avenge his native Ireland, after two of his countrymen suffered setbacks against members of Makhachev's camp in the past.

Makhachev's coach and UFC Hall of Famer, Khabib Nurmagomedov, defeated Conor McGregor in 2018, forcing him to submit in the fourth round. Usman Nurmagomedov also contributed two victories over Paul Hughes in PFL.

In reality, Makhachev doesn't view this as a rivalry between nations, though he certainly knows the score so far.

“He’s just another opponent,” Makhachev stated. “There’s nothing personal between us. But the score is 2-0 for us, and soon it will be 3-0.”

As the training camp draws to a close, Makhachev promises he has left nothing to chance and that his team has prepared everything necessary for a successful title defense at UFC 330.

“Everything is going very well,” Makhachev shared. “For the last few fights, we’ve been in the same gym. We’re in New Jersey, training at Nick Catone MMA, which is a very good gym. I have many of my brothers, friends, and sparring partners, almost the entire team is here, training together.”

“Khabib is here. Javier Mendez is here. We are training very hard every day to be ready,” he concluded.