Maia On Garry's Tools To Beat Makhachev

Demian Maia believes Ian Machado Garry has the tools to beat Islam Makhachev at UFC 330 this weekend.

The Brazilian jiu-jitsu legend has been working closely with Machado Garry ahead of the welterweight title fight in Philadelphia and told UFC Countdown that the challenger's striking arsenal gives him a real path to victory. Makhachev presents problems across the board, Maia acknowledged, but the champion's grappling dominance makes distance management critical.

Maia Breaks Down Garry's Game Plan

"Islam presents problems to everyone," Maia said, per MMA Junkie. "He has good striking, but mainly, Islam's strength is his grappling game: great takedowns, great variations on the ground, different kinds of submissions. Makhachev will take advantage of any mistake that you do with your elbow, with your leg, with your hips in the wrong direction — he will get you."

Maia added that his camp work has focused on eliminating those openings. "Ian is a very smart fighter," he said. "He understands that the most obvious advantage is his striking and control of distance. That's why he has the tools to be the champion."

Machado Garry enters the bout on a twelve-fight win streak but faces arguably the toughest test in mixed martial arts. Makhachev has turned back elite competition for years and defends the welterweight strap for the first time Saturday night.

UFC 330 airs live from Philadelphia on August 16.

Reported via:

• BJPenn — Demian Maia believes Ian Machado Garry has the tools to beat Islam Makhachev