Check out MMA expert Adam Catterall's latest tips and predictions for the UFC 330 main event between Islam Makhachev and Ian Machado Garry on Saturday night.
Adam Catterall's Islam Makhachev vs Ian Machado Garry Tips
Islam Makhachev to win by Decision or Technical Decision - 27/20
Islam Makhachev will make the first defence of his welterweight title on Saturday night when he takes on Ian Machado Garry in the main event of UFC 330.
In his most recent outing the 34-year-old defeated Jack Della Maddalena to join an elite group of two-weight world champions inside the Octagon, an accomplishment his friend and mentor Khabib Nurmagomedov never achieved in the UFC.
Now he will look to become just the fifth fighter ever to have successfully defended UFC titles in multiple weight classes when he faces Ireland's Machado Garry at the Xfinity Mobile Arena.
Machado Garry has proven himself to be one of the most talented fighters in the world at 170lbs but MMA expert Adam Catterall insisted that the Irishman will not be able to keep up with Makhachev into the later rounds.
"The key thing for Ian is going to be, what is his takedown defence like? Can he keep this fight on the feet?" Catterall said on bet365 Cageside.
"When he is taken down -- it's going to happen -- can he bounce back to his feet? How quickly can he get back to his feet? How long does he spend on the mat?
"Because if he's there for any length of time this fight is going to fritter away.
"I think he will have success, I think he will have moments. I think we might even get to the eat of round three and think that Ian is actually leading the fight.
"But it is in those moments when we see the very best of Islam Makhachev. The IQ just goes up a touch he just puts it into fifth gear and starts to do what Islam Makhachev does best.
"So for me the prediction is Islam Makhachev via decision."
Odds displayed in the above article were correct at time of publishing and are subject to change or withdrawal at any time.
