Islam Makhachev found a ‘Garry clone’ for UFC 330 camp

Islam Makhachev is leaving nothing to chance in his preparation for his first welterweight title defense, assembling a specialized training camp that includes a fighter specifically chosen to mimic his challenger's physical attributes and fighting style.

Makhachev will defend his UFC welterweight title against Ian Garry in the main event of UFC 330 on August 15 at the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia. To prepare for Garry's distinctive range and distance-management game, the Dagestani fighter has brought in Joel Alvarez, a Spanish-based welterweight standing 6-foot-2 who possesses similar physical dimensions and defensive acumen to the Irish contender. Garry's height, length, and ability to fight from distance have drawn significant attention as potential problem areas for Makhachev.

Alvarez, an 8-3 UFC veteran whose losses have come exclusively to elite opposition, serves as an ideal sparring partner for these purposes. The 33-year-old Spanish fighter is currently coming off a submission loss to Yaroslav Amosov at UFC 328 in May, which snapped a four-fight winning streak. His jiu-jitsu coach, Tito Beltran, announced the arrangement on Instagram while noting that Alvarez would be unavailable for scheduled camp work in Valencia during August.

Makhachev is not alone in preparing for Garry's style. His teammate Usman Nurmagomedov, the Professional Fighters League welterweight champion, has also been working to replicate Garry's approach during sparring sessions. Makhachev previously praised Alvarez following the Spaniard's knockout victory over Thiago Moises in 2021, and the two have a history of working together in training contexts. Despite entering as a heavy betting favorite, Makhachev's meticulous camp strategy underscores the respect he holds for Garry's technical prowess.