Javier Mendez previewed a potential matchup between Islam Makhachev and Ian Machado Garry.
Machado Garry (17-1 MMA, 10-1 UFC) is currently in Georgia training, something he said he would do once he’s booked to face UFC welterweight champion Makhachev (28-1 MMA, 17-1 UFC). While no opponent has been announced for Makhachev’s first title defense, all signs are pointing to the Irishman.
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Mendez says Makhachev wanted Kamaru Usman or Ilia Topuria, but welcomes Machado Garry as a challenge.
“I feel good about it,” Mendez told Submission Radio of Machado Garry. “He’s a well-known guy, he’s very highly skilled, and I look forward to the challenge. If that’s who they pick and that’s who Islam wants, no problem. Bring him on the plate.”
Makhachev showed off his ground game to full effect when he mauled Jack Della Maddalena to capture the 170-pound belt at UFC 322. Mendez rates Machado Garry’s striking highly, but doesn’t see him hanging on the ground with Makhachev.
“He does well with Islam on the standup because he’s rangy, he’s tricky, all those,” Mendez said. “But on the ground, he doesn’t. He does OK, but he doesn’t survive on the ground, I don’t think. He might survive five rounds, but he won’t get the best of Islam on the ground. I’m 100 percent sure about that.
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“In the standup, he’s pretty tricky, so one kick, one punch, one knee can change everything. The takedown defense that he has is decent, but not great enough to stop Islam from taking him down.”
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Islam Makhachev coach predicts UFC title fight vs. Ian Machado Garry
