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Former UFC welterweight champion Belal Muhammad knows exactly what both UFC 330 headliners bring to the table.
Makhachev (28-1 MMA, 17-1 UFC) defends his welterweight title for the first time against Ian Machado Garry (17-1 MMA, 10-1 UFC) this Saturday at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia. Muhammad has firsthand experience with both men, having lost a unanimous decision to Machado Garry at UFC Fight Night 265 while also spending time training alongside Makhachev.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Muhammad praised Makhachev's all-around skill set and explained that controlling the cage will be the key to neutralizing the Irish contender.
"Islam is very good. He's very good everywhere. He's smart, and they usually come in with a good game plan," Muhammad said.
According to Muhammad, Makhachev must constantly pressure Garry, force him toward the fence, and prevent him from fighting at his preferred pace.
"It's all about cutting the cage off, making Garry uncomfortable on his back foot. Eventually, that pressure will wear on him."
Muhammad believes Garry's movement-heavy style is designed to conserve energy rather than chase finishes.
"Garry is very good at sticking and moving, keeping the fight slow. I think he does that because he knows he gets tired. He doesn't have one-punch knockout power, so he'll keep moving, frustrate you, and he doesn't care if it's a boring fight or if the crowd is booing."
The former champion also warned Makhachev about Garry's dangerous counterstriking.
"When you enter, it has to be behind combinations. Garry is excellent at countering single shots. He's taller, sees everything coming, and he'll attack your lead leg with calf kicks and stomp kicks. If you stay out of kicking range and close the distance at the right moments, you'll frustrate him."
Despite Garry successfully defending all seven of Muhammad's takedown attempts in their own fight, Muhammad expects Makhachev's elite grappling to make the difference.
"I'm going with Islam. I think it'll be a long fight, probably into the championship rounds. If Garry is winning early, I could still see Islam finishing him in the fifth with a submission. I don't think this stays on the feet for long. Islam will eventually get the takedowns, and that's why I'm picking him."
