Champion Makhachev says challenger Garry will only learn 'how to tap fast' from Oliveira

UFC welterweight champion Islam Makhachev (34, Russia), widely regarded as the sport's dominant force, has predicted a lopsided victory over challenger Ian Machado Garry (28, Ireland).

The two will meet in the UFC 330 main event at the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia on Aug. 15 (local time).

Ahead of the bout, Garry has been training alongside jiu-jitsu specialist Charles Oliveira in recent weeks to prepare for Makhachev's formidable wrestling. The two have trained together before, and Oliveira — who lost to Makhachev by triangle choke in the second round of their 2022 lightweight title fight — is believed to have offered Garry tactical advice for the matchup.

Makhachev was dismissive of the arrangement, suggesting a loser's advice would carry little weight. In a recent interview with MMA Fighting, he quipped, "The only thing Charles can teach Garry is how to tap fast."

He added, "I know Garry's game plan. Every time you watch his fights, it's always the same style. I'm going to take him down and do the same thing I've done to everyone else."

Garry has shown strong grappling ability in recent wins over Belal Muhammad, Michael Page and Carlos Prates, but he has yet to face an opponent with elite-level wrestling on par with Makhachev's.

A protégé of UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov, Makhachev has overwhelmed most opponents with dominant wrestling and grappling throughout his current winning streak. Oddsmakers have installed him as a heavy favorite, listing him at -325 to -390 and Garry at +240 to +280.