A former UFC welterweight champion believes Islam Makhachev has no reason to abandon the formula that has made him one of the sport’s most dominant fighters.
Makhachev will defend his welterweight championship for the first time against Ian Machado Garry in Saturday’s UFC 330 main event at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia. With the champion also chasing the UFC’s all-time win streak record, Tyron Woodley expects him to prioritize victory over proving he can outstrike his opponent.
During a recent interview with Jackpot City Casino (via MMA Junkie), “The Chosen One” expressed that he expects Makhachev to stick with his wrestling, pressure, and control rather than getting drawn into a striking battle.
“I know Islam Makhachev is going to stay with the game plan,” Woodley said. “He’s not worried about proving anything like, ‘I can strike too.’ He’s going to take the path of least resistance. He’s going to do what’s going to secure him the victory to continue to remain with his record intact.”
According to Woodley, that means “The Future” should expect Makhachev to repeatedly look for takedowns rather than testing himself on the feet.
“He’s going to wrestle him. Ian Garry, most likely, is not going to be able to build skills in three months that are going to be enough to stop something Islam has been doing his whole life,” Woodley said.
“The Chosen One” did acknowledge that Garry could make things difficult if he could consistently return to his feet or create enough separation to land his own offense.
“Now, whether Ian continues to get up, escape and get away after he’s taken down, whether he can create space to throw strikes before he gets taken down, that’s a different thing,” Woodley said. “But he is going to get taken down.”
Woodley also believes Makhachev will have no interest in silencing critics who accuse him of relying too heavily on his grappling. Instead, the champion should remain focused on doing whatever is necessary to leave Philadelphia with his title and winning streak intact.
“Islam is not going to abort his wrestling, his pressure and his dominance to engage in a striking battle so everybody can quit saying he’s just a wrestler,” Woodley said. “He’s going to wrestle. He’s smart enough not to let the ego get in play and take away his ability to get this win.”
