Former UFC champion reveals his pick for Islam Makhachev vs. Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330

We are in the fight week of UFC 330. Islam Makhachev is gearing up for his first welterweight title defense. He is set to take on the Irish star Ian Machado Garry in the main event at Xfinity Mobile Arena, Philadelphia, this weekend. 

The matchup has already generated significant buzz across the MMA world, with several fighters and pundits sharing their predictions. Makhachev will look to continue his dominance, while  Garry will attempt to pull off the biggest win of his UFC career and capture the welterweight title.

Ahead of the highly anticipated bout, the former UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno weighed in and shared his prediction for the event headliner. 

Brandon Moreno gives a prediction on Islam Makhachev vs. Ian Machado Garry

In a video now shared on ‘MMA Crazy’ on their Instagram account, Moreno was asked about his prediction for the main event of UFC 330. Moreno admitted that it is difficult to bet against Makhachev given the Dagestani's skill set and his early success at welterweight. The former flyweight champion also acknowledged Garry's strengths but ultimately picked Makhachev to retain the title.

“It's hard to be against Islam Makhachev, you know? I think he's super good, looks like the division fits perfect to him.” Moreno said. “Ian Garry has amazing footwork, amazing head movement, a really good distance, but I don't know, man, I think I'm going with Islam Makhachev for sure.”

As Moreno highlighted, the new division appears to fit Makhachev perfectly, and that was on full display when he fought Jack Della Maddalena for the welterweight title at UFC 322. The Dagestani star dominated the Australian for all five rounds and captured the title with a unanimous decision victory.

Meanwhile, Carlos Prates, who previously fought Garry and lost by unanimous decision, has offered a contrasting prediction to Moreno.

Carlos Prates believes Garry will secure a decision victory against Makhachev 

Despite his previous defeat to Garry, Prates believes his former opponent has what it takes to dethrone Makhachev and capture welterweight gold. However, he doesn't expect Garry to finish the Dagestani star and instead predicts the Irishman will secure a decision victory.

“UFC 330, Ian Garry is gonna beat Makhachev by decision. I don’t know if he (will win via) unanimous decision or split decision but it’s gonna be a decision,” Prates said.

Both Makhachev and Garry have suffered just one loss in their professional careers. However, the reigning champion's loss came way back in 2015, while the Irishman suffered his only defeat against Shavkat Rakhmonov at UFC 310 in December 2024.

After suffering his first loss, Makhachev went on an incredible run and has now tied Anderson Silva's record of 16 consecutive UFC victories. He will have a chance to etch his name further into the UFC history books at UFC 330.

If Makhachev wins, he will further strengthen his claim as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the sport. For Garry, a victory would mark the biggest achievement of his career and establish him as the new face of the UFC welterweight division.