Dustin Poirier believes Ian Machado Garry has to use his footwork effectively at UFC 330.
Machado Garry (17-1 MMA, 10-1 UFC) challenges welterweight champion Islam Makhachev (28-1 MMA, 17-1 UFC) in the Aug. 15 main event at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia (Paramount+).
Poirier was submitted late by Makhachev in their title fight at UFC 302
, so he knows first hand how good the champion's grappling is."I need to go back and see Ian Garry fight some wrestlers, his takedown defense, his wall work, his get ups," Poirier said on "Deep Waters." "I need to see a little bit more, just refresh my memory on his grappling because obviously Islam is going to drown him, I think, but I need to see how good he is in those positions."
Machado Garry has both
the height and reach advantage over Makhachev. The Irishman has fought long successfully to outpoint the likes of Geoff Neal and Belal Muhammad, but Poirier doesn't think it'll be enough to dethrone Makhachev.
"He can use the footwork to keep the distance, but he has to win the rounds," Poirier said of Machado Garry. "You have to land some kind of shot. You have to do some kind of damage. You can't just run the whole time throwing a jab and expect to win the round against a guy who's pushing you against the fence."
Poirier doesn't see a world where Machado Garry outpoints Makhachev.
"That's the only way Ian wins this fight is landing a shot standing up, hurting him," Poirier said. "I don't think he's going to win a decision, and I don't think he's going to submit him. He has to finish him."
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Dustin Poirier: Ian Machado Garry 'can't just run the whole time' vs. Islam Makhachev
