Charles Oliveira says Islam Makhachev could face his toughest test yet

Charles Oliveira believes Ian Garry possesses the tools to dethrone Islam Makhachev and capture the UFC welterweight title at UFC 330 on August 15 in Philadelphia.

Garry (17–1) will challenge the undefeated Makhachev (28–1) in the card's main event. Oliveira, who faced Makhachev in 2022 and now trains with Garry at Chute Boxe in Brazil, is bullish on the Irish challenger's chances. While Oliveira acknowledges Makhachev's elite status, he credits Garry's fight intelligence as a decisive advantage.

"Ian has a very good chance of beating Makhachev," Oliveira said. "I'm not saying that because he's my friend or because he's part of our team, but because of what we have seen and how he's been training. We know there's an incredibly tough guy on the other side, someone who deserves all the respect in the world. But honestly, in my opinion, Ian has a great chance of winning because he's such a strategic fighter and never abandons the game plan."

Oliveira's endorsement carries weight given his direct experience against Makhachev and his close working relationship with Garry. The assessment suggests that tactical discipline and adherence to a game plan—rather than raw athleticism alone—may determine the outcome. Makhachev enters as a significant favorite and the consensus pound-for-pound leader, making Oliveira's measured optimism noteworthy.