By admin 
Welterweight champion Islam Makhachev will enter his first title defense on Saturday as a heavy betting favorite over challenger Ian Machado Garry. The championship bout headlines the UFC 330 fight card at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.
Read more How Rodri May Force Barcelona to Rewrite Club Transfer History
While many are writing Garry off, former BMF titleholder Jorge Masvidal believes if “The Future” sticks to a specific game plan that he could have success.
“Footwork. Footwork. Footwork. Stay off the fence, keep his stick going. Keep the stick going, start aiming for his chest with his power hand and hope that Makhachev ducks into something powerful. But I think he’s got to use a lot of footwork and a lot of jabs. If he lets Makhachev grab his leg, especially early on, I think he’s going to have a problem,” Masvidal said on
In the early going, Masvidal expects the fight to be closely contested. As it gets into the later rounds, he predicts Makhachev will prevail with takedowns.
Read more Keenan Allen Could Solve the Miami Dolphins’ Biggest Training Camp Problem
“I think the only way he’s going to get up and blueprinting it is good ol’ fashioned, all-American wrestling. Give him the back without letting him get any hooks in, get up. Volk (Alexander Volkanovski) did it once or twice in the fight. I think he’s just going to have to get up, fight those hands. If he stays on his back, I don’t think he’s getting up,” he said.
“I think he’s competitive the first round, but as the fight wears on, Makhachev is going to f**king choke his ass out. “
“I got Makhachev,” Masvidal stated. “I just feel like it’s a competitive fight at first, but Makhachev is going to dig deeper and break him.”
Read more Maple Leafs Involved in Latest Patrik Laine’s Free Agency Update
Copyright 2026 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
This story was originally published August 12, 2026 at 3:20 AM.