Islam Makhachev claims he knows Ian Garry’s UFC 330 game plan

Reigning welterweight champion Islam Makhachev is preparing to defend his title against Ian Garry at UFC 330 on August 15 in Philadelphia, and the Russian has spent much of his training camp specifically working to counteract his opponent's signature movement-heavy style. Makhachev claims he has identified Garry's gameplan through repeated film study and predicts he will be able to impose his will through aggressive pursuit and wrestling.

"His skills: I just have to run in this camp too much because I have to follow him," Makhachev told MMA Fighting. "He runs too much. I know his game plan. We always see his fights. He has the same style always. I will try to catch him, take him down, just what I did with my old opponents."

Makhachev, a former lightweight champion who moved up to welterweight, believes Garry's evasive footwork and backfoot fighting style are predictable and exploitable. The champion has prepared accordingly, with his training camp heavily focused on closing distance and controlling the pace. Makhachev even referenced another fighter's experience, quipping about Charles Oliveira: "Teach him how to tap fast. That's it." This is a reference to Oliveira's submission loss in a previous title fight. For Garry, the task will be maintaining his movement-based strategy against a relentless pressure fighter determined to neutralize it.