Ian Machado Garry would rather not pull off a quick finish of Islam Makhachev at UFC 330. That’s because he has something more fulfilling in mind.
Machado Garry (17-1 MMA, 10-1 UFC) is set for his first UFC title opportunity when he challenges welterweight champion Makhachev (28-1 MMA, 17-1 UFC) on Aug. 15 in the UFC 330 main event from Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.
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While most fighters might want to get in and get out quickly with a win, Machado Garry’s “ideal scenario” is something completely different.
“My ideal scenario? I want a fourth-round finish,” Machado Garry said in an Instagram video posted by Matchroom Talent Agency. “I don’t want any early knockout because then there’s ifs, buts, maybes. ‘Ah, there’s excuses.’ I want four rounds of domination. And in that fourth round, I’m going to tell everybody: I’m going to do it now. And then I’m going to go in there and finish him.
“I’m going to open the door, I’m going to walk him into my traps, and I’m going to take his head clean off his shoulders.”
More: Georges St-Pierre: Islam Makhachev has edge on Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330
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That outcome would be considered a significant upset given the betting odds. According to FanDuel, Machado Garry is a +280 underdog, with Makhachev coming back as a -390 favorite.
Machado Garry, 28, will enter UFC 330 on the strength of back-to-back wins over Carlos Prates and most recently former champ Belal Muhammad last November. Makhachev, 34, has continued to be one of the most dominant fighters of his era as a two-division champion. The former lightweight champ will enter UFC 330 on a 16-fight winning streak after claiming the 170-pound title from Jack Della Maddalena last November.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Ian Machado Garry lays out ‘ideal scenario’ for beating Islam Makhachev at UFC 330
