Brown On Garry's Title Shot Against Makhachev

Ian Machado Garry has the tools to become a UFC champion someday, but his title shot against Islam Makhachev arrives at the worst possible moment, according to retired welterweight Matt Brown.

Garry challenges the pound-for-pound king for lightweight gold Saturday at UFC 330, entering as a heavy underdog against a champion riding a 16-fight win streak. Brown told MMA Fighting that the Irish striker possesses championship-caliber skills but drew the wrong opponent at the wrong stage of his career.

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Why Garry Cannot Beat Makhachev

"He is an extremely skilled guy," Brown said on The Fighter vs. The Writer podcast. "I've given him praises for a long time. I think he's got championship material in him. I don't doubt that he can make this a good fight. He's just in the wrong place at the wrong time."

The path to victory requires Garry to defend every takedown across 25 minutes, a near-impossible demand against Makhachev's wrestling pedigree. Without knockout power to deter the Russian's entries, Garry must outpoint the champion on the feet while surviving on the mat if the fight hits the floor. Brown noted that Makhachev can absorb mistakes in the standup exchanges, but one slip from Garry on the ground likely ends the night.

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Brown pointed to the stylistic contrast: Makhachev can afford errors because Garry lacks finishing power, while Garry must execute a flawless performance because Makhachev capitalizes on every opening. Charles Oliveira learned that lesson the hard way, Brown said, and Garry faces the same reality Saturday night.

Reported via:

• MMA Fighting — Matt Brown: Ian Machado Garry has championship potential but Islam Makhachev is the ‘wrong guy at the wrong time’