O'Malley Predicts Garry Upsets Makhachev At UFC 330
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Sean O'Malley expects Ian Machado Garry to hand Islam Makhachev his first loss in over a decade at UFC 330 this weekend, though the former bantamweight champion warns the welterweight title fight will likely disappoint fans inside Philadelphia's Xfinity Mobile Arena.
O'Malley broke down Saturday's main event in a YouTube video, per MMA Junkie, predicting Garry will frustrate Makhachev with point-fighting tactics that draw boos from the crowd. The challenger enters as a sizable betting underdog against Makhachev, widely considered the best pound-for-pound fighter in MMA today.
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O'Malley On Garry's Game Plan Against Makhachev
"I do think there's going to be a point where he's frustrating Islam," O'Malley said in the breakdown. "He's popping him with the jab, and he's moving, he's circling, he's not engaging. He's hitting him with it. The crowd is booing. They're staying up until 5am to watch him, and he's punching and moving, but he's doing what he has to do."
O'Malley acknowledged Makhachev could dominate as expected but ultimately picked Garry to win by decision. He noted the Irish challenger's vegan diet as a wildcard factor, joking that Makhachev could snap Garry like a vegetable if he secures a takedown. The prediction came with a caveat about entertainment value.
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"I don't think it's going to be the most exciting fight ever," O'Malley added. "I think there's going to be some good back-and-forths, but I do think Ian Garry is going to get the job done." Makhachev defends his welterweight strap for the first time Saturday. His last loss came in 2015.
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