Belal Muhammad Predicts Islam Makhachev vs Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330

Islam Makhachev vs Ian Machado Garry is shaping up to be a fascinating welterweight title clash at UFC 330, and former UFC champion Belal Muhammad has backed Makhachev to retain his championship.

Makhachev is set to make his first defense of the UFC welterweight title against Garry at the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia. The Irish contender enters the bout after defeating Muhammad by unanimous decision at UFC Qatar, while Makhachev previously earned a unanimous decision victory over Jack Della Maddalena to capture the 170-pound championship.

Belal Muhammad backs Islam Makhachev

Having trained with Makhachev previously, Muhammad believes the Russian champion possesses the tools required to neutralize Garry’s movement and striking.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Muhammad praised Makhachev’s well-rounded skill set and explained that the champion’s ability to control the cage could eventually create problems for Garry.

“Islam is very good. He’s very good everywhere.”

Muhammad believes Makhachev will look to cut off the cage, force Garry toward the fence and make him uncomfortable rather than allowing the Irishman to dictate the pace from range.

Garry has built a reputation around his technical striking, movement and ability to maintain distance. Muhammad expects those qualities to make the early rounds difficult for Makhachev but believes the champion’s pressure could become increasingly effective as the fight progresses.

Muhammad predicts a late finish

While Muhammad does not expect an early stoppage, he believes Makhachev could find a finish in the championship rounds if Garry spends too much of the fight defending against sustained pressure.

The former champion suggested that Garry could have success during the opening stages by sticking and moving, but predicted that Makhachev’s pressure would eventually begin to wear him down.

“I’m going with Islam. I think it will be a longer fight. I don’t think it will be an early finish. I think it will probably go to the fourth and fifth round.”

Muhammad went further by suggesting that if Garry manages to stay clear of Makhachev’s attacks for the first three rounds, the champion could potentially finish the challenger in the fifth.

Tom Aspinall also backs Makhachev

Belal Muhammad is not the only high-profile fighter expecting Makhachev to win. UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall has also picked the Dagestani star to emerge victorious at UFC 330.

Aspinall highlighted Makhachev’s grappling and control as major advantages, arguing that the champion has a better chance of dictating the fight than Garry has of landing a decisive strike.

“Islam Makhachev decision… I just think that he’s got more chance of controlling the fight than Ian landing something.”

However, Aspinall acknowledged that Garry has a genuine opportunity to cause an upset and did not completely rule out a victory for the Irishman.

Garry faces biggest test of his UFC career

For Garry, UFC 330 represents his first opportunity to win UFC gold and defeat one of the most accomplished fighters of his generation. The Irishman has won all but one of his UFC appearances and enters the championship bout on a two-fight winning streak.

Makhachev, meanwhile, is attempting to establish himself as one of the greatest fighters in UFC history by successfully defending his second-division championship.

The matchup therefore presents an intriguing contrast: Garry’s movement and distance management against Makhachev’s wrestling, pressure and control. The outcome could ultimately depend on whether Garry can prevent Makhachev from consistently closing the distance and forcing grappling exchanges.

Islam Makhachev vs Ian Machado Garry: What to expect

With both Muhammad and Aspinall favoring Makhachev, the champion enters UFC 330 with significant support from fellow elite fighters. However, Garry’s unbeaten run across nearly all of his UFC career and his ability to control the pace could make the title fight highly competitive.

If Makhachev successfully applies pressure and gets Garry against the cage, his grappling could become the decisive factor. If Garry maintains distance and forces Makhachev to fight at range, the challenger could make the champion work for every round.

Either way, the UFC 330 main event promises a major test for both fighters, with Makhachev’s welterweight reign and Garry’s first opportunity to become a UFC champion on the line.