TLDR
- Charles Oliveira believes Ian Machado Garry has a good chance to defeat Islam Makhachev at UFC 330 on August 15
- Oliveira says his prediction is based on training observations, not team loyalty at Chute Boxe
- Garry has been preparing for Makhachev since earning his title shot in November 2025
- Makhachev is on a 16-fight UFC winning streak and will defend his welterweight title for the first time
- Oliveira praises Garry’s strategic approach and ability to stick to game plans during fights
Sources: bjpenn.com | mmafighting.com | brobible.com
Former UFC lightweight champion Charles Oliveira believes his teammate Ian Machado Garry has a real chance to defeat Islam Makhachev at UFC 330 on August 15 in Philadelphia. The Brazilian insists his prediction is based on what he’s seen in training, not just team loyalty.
Garry will challenge Makhachev for the welterweight championship in the main event of UFC 330. The Irish fighter earned his title shot after defeating former champion Belal Muhammad in November 2025.
Makhachev has been on a dominant run, winning his last 16 fights in the UFC. He captured the lightweight title by submitting Oliveira in 2022, then moved up to welterweight and took that belt from Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 322.
The Russian champion has defeated legendary fighters including Alexander Volkanovski, Dustin Poirier, and Oliveira at lightweight before claiming the welterweight throne. He will attempt to set a new UFC record with his 17th straight win, surpassing Anderson Silva.
🚨Charles Oliveira vs Arman Tsarukyan is set at UFC 331, on September 19.
5 rounds – but without the BMF belt on the line
via @leoguimaraesmma pic.twitter.com/oruKafCGHO
— Dovy🔌 (@DovySimuMMA) August 1, 2026
Oliveira Denies Bias in His Prediction
“Ian truly has a very good chance of beating Makhachev,” Oliveira told MMA Fighting. “I’m not saying that because he’s my friend or because he’s part of our team, but because of what we’ve seen and how he’s been training.”
Oliveira acknowledged Makhachev’s skill level while explaining Garry’s path to victory. “We know there’s an incredibly tough guy on the other side, someone who deserves all the respect in the world,” he said.
The former champion praised Garry’s approach to fighting. “Ian has a great chance of winning, because he’s such a strategic fighter and never abandons the game plan,” Oliveira explained.
Oliveira and his coaches at Chute Boxe in Sao Paulo have used their experience fighting Makhachev to help prepare Garry. “Whether you win or lose, once you’ve shared the cage with someone, you come away with certain insights,” Oliveira said.
Extended Training Camp Gives Garry an Edge
Oliveira highlighted one key advantage for Garry heading into the fight. “The most important thing is that, ever since he won his last fight, Ian already knew he was next,” he said.
Garry has been preparing for this specific matchup since defeating Muhammad. “Ian didn’t just start this training camp now, he’s been in camp and focused on this fight for a long time already,” Oliveira revealed.
The Brazilian emphasized Garry’s mental preparation and understanding of the task ahead. “Ian keeps getting better every day. He’s happier. He understands the opportunity in front of him,” Oliveira said.
Oliveira praised Garry’s discipline in sticking to game plans. “The difference with Ian is his intelligence. He never strays from the strategy,” he explained.
“Whatever the team plans together with him for the fight, he’ll follow it from start to finish,” Oliveira continued. “Once he commits the game plan to his mind, he’ll stick with it all the way through.”
Oliveira also pointed to Garry’s ground game as a weapon. “He knows the weapons he has, and he knows the quality of his jiu-jitsu,” the former champion said.
Garry and Oliveira both train at Chute Boxe in Brazil. Garry has been working with Oliveira and the team’s coaches to develop his strategy for facing Makhachev’s wrestling-heavy style.
Makhachev will defend his welterweight title for the first time at UFC 330. The champion has held UFC gold since defeating Oliveira for the lightweight belt in October 2022.
