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Demian Maia believes Ian Garry is equipped to upset Islam Makhachev.
Garry (17-1) is scheduled to challenge Makhachev (28-1) for the Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight title in the main event of UFC 330 on Aug. 15 at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia. Maia recently discussed Garry's preparation and dissected the matchup.
Ian Garry prepares for Islam Makhachev with help from Demian Maia ahead of UFC 330
Maia has been a crucial part of Garry's fight camps since they first met at a seminar in Barcelona in 2023 and the jiu-jitsu legend recently revealed that he helped Garry in Spain before the Irishman went back to England to finish the final phase of his camp for UFC 330.
"Our partnership started in 2023," Maia told Sherdog's Marcelo Alonso. "I went to teach a seminar at a friend's academy in Barcelona, and Ian and his wife reached out to me. He came to train with me, and ever since then he's been coming to Brazil regularly. Last week I traveled to Spain to teach another seminar, and we spent several days together doing an intensive camp focused on what we believe he needs to do in the grappling exchanges against Islam. He finished the final stage of his camp in England with his jiu-jitsu coach, John Hathaway, who also fought in the UFC in our weight class."
Makhachev is the No. 1 pound-for-pound UFC fighter and a -300 favorite going into his clash against Garry. However, many believe Garry's frame and defensive savviness will pose a threat to Makhachev's dominant run. Notably, Maia doesn't think Garry's distance management is his biggest strength.
Ian Garry's fight IQ highlighted ahead of UFC 330 title fight with Islam Makhachev
According to Maia, Garry's fight IQ separates him from other fighters. The Brazilian claims to have taught the Irish welterweight a takedown variation during the fight week of his win against Carlos Prates last year, which "The Future" executed 10 times in the bout.
"Some people say he's the toughest matchup for Islam because he has excellent takedown defense, longer reach, outstanding cardio, and he's a complete fighter, but I think his biggest strength is his fight IQ," Maia added. "Garry reads his opponents extremely well and knows how to adapt. When he fought Carlos Prates, I showed him a variation of a takedown during fight week, and he executed it perfectly about 10 times during the fight. He's someone who learns very quickly and knows how to make life difficult for his opponents."
Despite his confidence in Garry's skillset, Maia isn't underestimating the challenge that Makhachev poses. He believes the Dagestani welterweight champion could stand his own against elite opponents in no-gi jiu jitsu.
"I expect a very tough fight. Islam is one of the greatest fighters of all time. His jiu-jitsu is of an extremely high level. I'd even say he could compete successfully in elite no-gi Brazilian jiu-jitsu tournaments. So, it's going to be a historical title dispute."
Maia also confirmed that he will be in Garry's corner on fight night alongside Diego Lima, John Hathaway and Paulo Mauricio Strauch.
