Makhachev vs Garry: The final breakdown

The champion enters as the favorite, but Garry has the tools to cause a major upset.

There are only a few hours left until the long-awaited fight between Islam Makhachev and Ian Machado Garry, and here’s the final overview.

Islam Makhachev is considered by most to be the clear favorite going into the fight. The former lightweight champion and current welterweight champion is the best pound-for-pound fighter we have right now, and his wrestling skills are outstanding. If he takes Ian Machado Garry to the ground, the fight could quickly turn ugly.

Ian Machado Garry, on the other hand, brings a whole different set of skills to the table. His height and reach are very rare, and even for Islam Makhachev, this is uncharted territory. If he keeps the fight at a distance, it could get very uncomfortable for Islam Makhachev. His footwork and striking could be decisive, but to make that happen, he absolutely must prevent the champion’s takedowns.

And that’s exactly where the key to the fight lies. Ian Machado Garry doesn’t need to dominate Islam Makhachev, and he shouldn’t even try to. He simply has to try to prevent Makhachev from finding his rhythm. Islam Makhachev doesn’t need many chances to completely turn a fight around, we know that by now. In the end, the crucial question remains: Can Ian Machado Garry force his opponent, Islam Makhachev , to fight a fight he doesn’t want to fight?

Personally, I think so. I can imagine that Ian Machado Garry will make good use of his height tonight, and I believe he’ll surprise us and emerge victorious. I’m really excited to see what happens tonight and just hope it’s an exciting matchup. Enjoy the show!