Daniel Cormier warns not to underestimate Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330.
Machado Garry (17-1 MMA, 10-1 UFC) is a big underdog when he challenges welterweight champion Islam Makhachev (28-1 MMA, 17-1 UFC) in the Aug. 15 main event at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia (Paramount+).
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Cormier, who was a longtime training partner of Makhachev’s at American Kickboxing Academy, broke down the two scenarios he sees happening in the fight.
“It’s a hard fight for Ian Garry. It’s a hard fight for Islam Makhachev,” Cormier said on his YouTube channel. “I believe that this fight will be determined by what happens in the beginning of the fight. If Garry is able to stay upright for the first round, it could be a long night for Islam. But if Islam is able to secure takedowns early, or get close to Ian Garry, I believe that then the fight will start to sway in his side.”
Cormier is aware of the criticism Machado Garry gets for his personality, but says that shouldn’t overshadow his fighting ability. Makhachev accused Machado Garry of being a runner in his fights, which Cormier thinks is tactical.
“When you look within Garry the fighter, he is elite,” Cormier said. “Islam is almost trying to challenge his ego to try and make him fight the fight that would suit him. It’s obviously smart on Islam’s behalf because at the end of the day, I believe, and I think that Islam’s team would be smart enough to understand that this is going to be a very difficult fight or has the potential to be a very difficult fight.
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“Because through it all, Garry is a very big guy for the weight class, very tall, and very agile, and can move around for 25 minutes if need be – which could cause issues for Islam. He’ll be a shorter fighter in the octagon this time, and Garry won’t be stationary standing in front of him. It is a very hard fight.”
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Daniel Cormier: UFC 330 a hard fight for Ian Machado Garry and Islam Makhachev
