MOSCOW, August 13. /TASS/. Russia’s Islam Makhachev, the current Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Welterweight Champion, is a shoo-in to win his bout against Ireland’s Ian Machado Garry this weekend because of his unmatched ground game, Javier Mendez, the Russian fighter’s coach, told TASS.

"Garry is very dangerous and he is a hungry contender. However, he has no chance against Islam [Makhachev] if they go the ground," Mendez noted.

"Can he [Garry] win? I don't believe he can," the Russian fighter’s Mexican-American coach added.

Makhachev and Garry are scheduled to square off against each other in the main event fight at UFC 330 tournament on August 15 at the Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Nicknamed "The Future," 28-year-old Irish fighter Ian Garry holds a career professional record of 17 wins (seven by KO/TKO, one by submission and nine by decision) and one defeat (by decision).

Makhachev, 34, boasts a record of 28 wins (five by KO/TKO, 13 by submission, ten by decision) and one defeat. The Russian fighter became the UFC Lightweight champion in October 2022. He successfully defended his title four times.

On November 15, 2025, Makhachev defeated Australia’s Jack Della Maddalena for the UFC Welterweight crown by unanimous decision. After that win he moved to the top of the UFC rankings.

Early last year, Makhachev decided to vacate his champion’s title in the Lightweight Division and move to the Welterweight Division. After defeating Australia’s Maddalena, he became the first Russian fighter to win champion’s titles in two different UFC weight categories.

The Ultimate Fighting Championship is the world’s largest mixed martial arts (MMA) promotional event, featuring the world’s top-ranked fighters. Numerous Russian fighters fight in the UFC.